ISLAMABAD: Efforts are underway to make the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) an autonomous body — financially and administratively. This issue is very likely to be placed on agenda of the upcoming Board-in-Council meeting of the FBR.
The FBR Act 2007 had guaranteed almost complete and full financial and administrative autonomy, however, due to the lack of the interest of the government it could not become possible till now,” a well placed source at the FBR claimed, adding that the current state of affairs has been a matter of concern for the FBR officials and employees.
“Section 21 of the FBR Act 2007 says that the federal government can make rules for the purposes of this Act while section 22 stated that the board can make regulations for the administration of this Act,” the source added.
“Currently, the FBR chairman is not exercising his powers as the FBR chairman, but as secretary of the Revenue Division for which he possesses additional charge,” the source said, adding that the office of the chairman would become powerless if someone else would be appointed as the Revenue Division secretary of which the FBR was an attached department.
“This state of affairs is linked to the government’s intention to keep FBR powerless in its financial and administrative decisions,” they added.
Sources further said that section 19 of the FBR Act 2007 stated that the FBR could levy any charges for making expenditure on the provision of enhanced facilities for the taxpayers, or direct cost reimbursement of expenses, and reasonable return on investment or profit; where the services are provided in the matters relating to or under any fiscal law under public-private partnership.
