KARACHI: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Shahid Ahmed has said that the core function of FTO is disposal of complaints of tax maladministration promptly, justly, fairly, independently, and to rectify any injustice done to a taxpayer by actions of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Officials.
According to the details, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Shahid Ahmed visited PHMA and met the office-bearers to discuss issues and hold interactive session with Pakistan Apparel Forum.
He apprised that during the Year 2018, FTO Secretariat received around 2400 complaints whereby 25% complaints were resolved at the initial stage. 72% decisions of complaints were arrived in the favour of taxpayers.
FBR has not filed any representative in 93% complaint cases being disposed off by FTO. As result of cognizance and orders passed by FTO the taxpayers have received refunds worth 6.89 billion rupees, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Shahid Ahmed stated.
Currently FTO disposes off complaints in 43 days timeline which was previously 60 days, and efforts are underway to further reduce this timeline. The ratio of complaints being filed with FTO related to income tax is 54%, Sales Tax 26% and Customs 12%, added Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Shahid Ahmed.
Presently, the focus of FTO Secretariat is implementation of the orders in the interest of justice for the taxpayers. Exchanging views, he articulated the taxpayers in their own interest should report to FTO the maladministration by FBR Officials, he further added.
He recalled that on the request of Pakistan Apparel Forum, FTO took cognizance of the grievances being faced by exporters regarding pending sales tax refunds, attachment of bank accounts, blacklisting and other taxation matters and gave orders to redress the grievances with compliance thereof to all concerned.
FTO is exercising its powers to address the grievances and complaints, stated Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Shahid Ahmed.
