ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue is working to simplify the tax system and minimize direct interaction with tax collectors in order to facilitate the taxpayers. Tax collectors and taxpayers are working for the common goal of improving Pakistan’s economy, therefore, there is a need to develop a relationship of confidence and understanding to further enhance tax revenue of the country. This was said by Ayesha Khalid, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Regional Tax Office, Islamabad while addressing the business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI). Adnan Inamullah Khan Commissioner-IR (WHT), Ms. Adeela Yousaf Khan Commissioner-IR (Ops) South Zone and Ms. Aisha Asad Deputy Commissioner RTO Islamabad also accompanied her at the occasion.
Ayesha Khalid said that RTO has set up a Grievances Cell to address the tax complaints of taxpayers and said that ICCI should nominate a focal person for coordination with it to address the tax grievances of the business community. She said that RTO Islamabad would consider the request for a Help Desk at ICCI to facilitate its members in filing of tax returns. She said that such Desks can also be set up in major markets to facilitate the traders. She assured that RTO Islamabad in collaboration with ICCI would try to address the tax issues of the business community in order to achieve the set tax targets.
Speaking at the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said RTO Islamabad should provide a list of top 100 taxpayers to host a ceremony at ICCI to recognize their tax contribution and the Federal Finance Minister would be invited as chief guest to the event. He said that all Chambers of Commerce are playing a positive role in broadening the tax base as no business person can get their membership without registration in the tax system and stressed that FBR should develop close liaison with major chambers of commerce to identify the new taxpayers instead of milking the existing taxpayers. He said that RTO Islamabad should take ICCI on board before sending its inspectors to markets to address tax matters with joint efforts. He said that the business community should be given representation in the policymaking process of FBR to promote a tax system that should facilitate the growth of business and investment activities. He said that attractive benefits to taxpayers would remove fear factor and attract more people towards the tax system. He said that a Committee comprising representatives of ICCI and RTO Islamabad should be considered to address the tax issues of the business community.
Azhar ul Islam Zafar Vice President ICCI thanked Chief Commissioner RTO for visiting ICCI and said that ICCI would work in close liaison with RTO to facilitate the taxpayers.
The representatives of various markets and sectors including furniture, jewellery, real estate, overseas employment and others highlighted their tax issues and stressed that RTO Islamabad should play a role to address them. Zafar Bakhtawari, Zahid Maqbool, Baser Daud, Khalid Chaudhry, M. Rizwan Chheena, Ashfaq Chatha, Khalid Mehmood, Hamayun Kabir, Ch. Muhammad Ali, Raja Imtiaz, Maqsood Tabish, Faizan Shehzad, Ms. Munizeh Majid and others also highlighted various tax issues for the attention of Chief Commissioner RTO, Islamabad.
