LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by Muhammad Sabir Akber, contractor of booking counter at Lahore Fort until next date.
According to the details, FTO Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor heard the case in which the counsel for the appellant argued that the Regional Tax Office-I (RTO-I) failed to release the sales tax refund of the last three years.
He said that the RTO collected excessive tax from Muhammad Sabir Akber, contractor of booking Counter Lahore Fort during the last three years. The approached the commissioner concerned many time for issuance of refunds but the RTO officials did not pay the refunds after the passage of reasonable time.
At the end, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking interference in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said that the RTO-I should refund the excess collection in wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on the taxpayers, he said, adding that the RTO should make audit of the cases and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayers.
On the other hand, counsel for RTO argued that Case is under process in the Regional Tax Office and after the final assessment RTO will release refunds to the appellant..
After hearing the arguments from both sides, Adviser Mian Munawar Ghafoor adjourned the case until for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on said date to present arguments in the case.
