FAISALABAD: The Broadening of Tax Base (BTB) is now putting focus on untouched areas in order to improve tax collections by bringing more taxpayers into the tax net, besides launching operation against tax evaders.
Faisalabad Regional Tax Office’s (RTO), BTB Zone Assistant Commissioner Ajmal Zahid stated this during an interview with Customs Today. He added pending cases will also be settled following the directions of Chief Commissioner Shad Muhammad, besides improving the performance of the department. The collection of taxes was necessary to run the state affairs, he added.
A large number of people who have costly vehicles, luxury houses, and moveable/immoveable properties but they avoid paying taxes, he said, adding that rich peoples opened bank accounts using the names of poor and innocent citizens in order to deceive the tax officials, as poor citizens did not have national tax numbers (NTN) and not liable to file tax returns to the FBR. Now, the department is more vigilant against them, he said.
The BTB issued six thousand show cause notices to potential taxpayers under Section 114 during first four months (July-October) of fiscal year 2016-17 asking them to pay taxes or file replies within 40 to 45 days, informed. It is important to mention here that, the BTB created a total tax demand of Rs 50 to 60 million through the notices.
The zone had served the notice on those potential taxpayers who have conducted heavy bank withdrawals, purchased properties, cars, etc in order to bring them into tax net, as broadening the tax base would bring ease for existing taxpayers, he added.
Ajmal Zahid said, “If any potential taxpayer violates the orders, he may be arrested or his immovable and moveable properties be confiscated under Section 130, 139 and 140”.
The assistant commissioner said that there is a need to create awareness about tax culture in the country as the government needs money to spend on public welfare project. Then payment of taxes is must to improve national economy. Replying a question about that he said that it was unfortunate no one willing to pay taxes in fully quantity and wished to find out ways and means to evade taxes.
He added that all RTO officials should work honestly as per the expectation of Chief Commissioner Shad Muhammad. The talented officials were key players of the department as their efforts helped achieve the desired results, he said. “As a government servant, I follow rules and regulation at every step and except the same from subordinates,” he said.
Talking about his achievements, the assistant commissioner said that when he was an auditor he detected many cases of tax evasion, including a case worth Rs 200 million against Asif Riaz, Rs 250 million against Farhan Company, Rs 100 million against Zahid Ghee and Rs 100 million against Sitara Group.
Responding to another question, he said that two main areas, including Jinnah Town and Iqbal Town come under his jurisdiction, adding that efforts were made to bring the non-taxpayers into tax net. He informed that stern action will be taken against individuals and companies involved in any kind of irregularity.
