PESHAWAR: The business community on Wednesday urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to accelerate the tax refund process and refrain from issuing unwarranted notices to businesses.
The demands were made during a joint meeting of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (SCCI) Standing Committee on Inland Revenue Services and Income Tax chaired by the SCCI President Engineer Maqsood Anwar Pervaiz on Wednesday.
Members of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) business community stressed that instead of putting additional burden of taxes on existing taxpayers, FBR should take steps to bring more people under the tax-net.
SCCI Senior Vice President Shahid Hussain, Vice President Abdul Jalil Jan, other members of SCCI and tax officers were present in the meeting.
SCCI president while speaking on the occasion stressed the need for taking steps to facilitate business suffering from the adverse economic impacts of Covid-19. He urged the government to further accelerate payment of tax refunds.
SCCI Standing Committee on Inland Revenue Chairman Zahidullah Shinwari appreciated the FBR and RTO Peshawar for bringing amendments in tax laws and taking initiatives to provide relief to Covid-19 affected business community.
He said that the business community is willing to pay all taxes, however, unnecessary notices are being issued to them which creates mistrust between the business community and the government. He urged FBR to take further steps to facilitate the business community.
SCCI Standing Committee on Income Tax Chairman Muhammad Asif said that the SCCI has always maintained close liaison and cordial relations with the Regional Tax Office (RTO).
He said that the tax base should be increased adding that meetings with small trade bodies should be arranged in order to inform them of the advantages of filing taxes.
RTO Additional Commissioner Ajmal Khan agreed with proposals and recommendations of the business community and assured them that his department will take proactive steps to resolve their issues.
Earlier in the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Usman Asif and Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Yasir Nabi delivered a presentation regarding amendments in tax laws and other initiatives.
