MULTAN: Chief Commissioner Regional Tax Office Multan Hafiz Muhammad Jamil Owaisi has said that only 800,000 people pay taxes out of 200 million population of the country but now time has reached the point where everyone will have to pay tax at any rate.
Address businessmen at the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), he said that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is committed to widen tax net. “Our tax machinery has executed such steps which resulted in enhancement of tax collection,” he said.
Hafiz Jamil Owaisi said that every country drives its economy through collection of taxes and it is the prime responsibility of the business community to serve the country by paying taxes. He ensured the business community that if anyone from Regional Tax Office Multan harassed them they should directly inform him about it. He that he will not tolerate corruption in the department. He said that the country’s progress depends on the business community as they are the backbone of our economy so tax collection from them is compulsory.
It’s a totally wrong perception about tax department that we are over charging them by putting extra burden of taxes. He spoke that our national tax policy is clear and fair for everyone and every sector with a potential tax liability tax should be taxed.
He said that tax refund issue of business community is deep-rooted and we are working on it for disbursement of refunds speedily. Government also allocated refund target and we have successfully attained target allocated for the refunds.
To broaden tax net of the country chamber of commerce and industry, trade bodies and Federal Board of Revenue needs to enhance their mutual cooperation to settle tax matters between us he suggested during his visit at MCCI.
During his meeting with president Fareed Mughees Sheikh demanded from Commissioner to eliminate tense atmosphere to eliminate trust deficit on tax department and government should apply direct taxes only on business community and eliminate all other indirect taxes The Federal Board of Revenue should be convincing to tax payers for the collection of taxes that people voluntarily pay their taxes.
Business community complained that sale tax registration procedure is still complicated and it needs to be easier for new taxpayer without any difficulty and upgrades taxpayers status on daily basis. Traders requested that FBR should extend the period of sale tax examination certificate from six months to one year to relax taxpayers.
Commissioner RTO Multan ensured business community that their existing tax issues will sort out very with their cooperation. Business Community informed Commissioner that they are ready pay their taxes but they are paying burden of taxes in shape of direct and indirect taxes.
Hafiz Jamil Owaisi ensured them Zero Rating tax facility on electricity and gas will be provided according to government policies and committee has been formed to address the issues of business community in this regard which will speedily resolve issues of taxpayers.
FBR help desk has also been established in the MCCI office to accommodate traders with the assistance of RTO Multan.
