RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Saboor Malik has stressed upon the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman, Shabber Zaidi to take immediate notice of harassment by Inland Revenue (IR) against taxpayers.
Addressing traders meeting at Chamber House Rawalpindi on Monday, RCCI President Saboor Malik said that traders are approaching Chamber with complaints of notices from IR department and added that FBR must facilitate taxpayers and their focus should be on potential tax payers.
Despite FBR chief assurances, raids are being carried out on different business centers and harassed the staff, he added. This harassment by FBR is causing fear amongst trade and industry, he said.
Such acts from IR would serve as a disincentive to potential taxpayers to join the tax net and at the same time undermine the governmental efforts of broadening the base through encouragements.
The business community is not against the documentation of economy, however, the harassment on the account of revenue collection and documentation must be stopped. It is unfortunate on FBR part that instead of penalizing non-filers, notices are being served to taxpayers (filers), he added.
This harassment by IR department is causing fear amongst trade and industry, he said. Harassment should be stopped in the name of revenue collections. Companies and individuals are finding themselves served with audit notices, and then offered the option of paying a nominal penalty to ‘get off the hook’, he added.
Pakistan economy is passing through worst circumstances and the core challenges including high and aggressive revenue targets, double digit inflation, Rupee depreciation, debt trap and high POL prices demands a sensible approach from the apex body, he added.
The government must realized the ground realities of common businessmen and come up with an amicable solution after consultations with stakeholders. The revenue collections over the span of five years have been doubled where trader’s contribution remained high.
Group leader Suhail Altaf, Senior Vice president Nosherwan Khalil Khan, Vice President Hamza Sarosh, former presidents, members of the executive committee, trade association representatives and members were also present on the occasion.
