LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Shiraz Stainless Steel Industry against the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Gujranwala until the next date.
FTO Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the complaint number FTO-LHR/ 0000118/17 of M/s Shiraz Stainless Steel Industry in which counsel for appellant argued that the RTO has failed to release the sales tax refunds since two years.
He said the RTO-II has been collecting excessive tax from the company for the last two years. So he approached the commissioner concerned several times for the release of the refunds but the RTO-II officials did not entertain his request, even after the lapse of a reasonable time.
Finally, the company decided to approach the FTO seeking his intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO consultant to direct the RTO Gujranwala to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said delay in release of refunds puts the 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 appellant M/s Shiraz Stainless Steel Industry has not submitted all the record in the office on the basis of which the company is claiming refunds.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, FTO put off the case until further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the date to present arguments. FTO will hear the case after Eid.
