LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by Riaz Ahmed against the Regional Tax Office (RTO), Sialkot, until the next hearing.
According to details, FTO Advisor Mazhar Farooq Shirazi heard the case in which counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO had failed to release the sales tax refund of the last two years claimed by the company.
He said the RTO collected excessive tax from Riaz Ahmed son of Muhammad Sadique from the last two years. He approached the commissioner concerned many times for issuance of refunds but the RTO officials did not pay refunds even 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 refund claims. The counsel further said the RTO should refund the excessive collection in the wake of taxes by the end of financial year but the situation is quite otherwise. Delay in issuance of refunds put burden on taxpayers, he said, adding the RTO Sialkot should audit cases and release extra amount collected from the taxpayers.
On the other hand, counsel for the RTO argued that appellant Riaz Ahmed has not submitted all the record to the office on which basis it is claiming for refunds. If appellant provides accurate record, the RTO will issue refunds, if any, after a proper assessment.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Advisor Mazhar Farooq Shirazi adjourned the hearing of case until next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on said date to present arguments.
