LAHORE: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Advisor Mian Munawar Ghafoor, on Friday heard a case filed by owner of M/s King Ice Cream against the Regional Tax Office (RTO-II) Lahore and adjourned it until the next date of hearing. The FTO also ordered the counsels to conclude argument on the next date of hearing.
During the proceedings of case, the counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO-II had failed to release the sales tax refund to the appellant since last two years.
He said the RTO-II collected excessive taxes from the company during the last two years. The petitioner approached the officials concerned several times for the release of refunds, but the RTO officials failed to clear refunds after the passage of a reasonable time.
Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed the FTO advisor to direct the RTO-II to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said that delay in release of refunds put burden on taxpayers, adding that the RTO-II should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer.
On the other hand, counsel for RTO-II argued that the appellant has not submitted all record to the office for claiming refunds. If appellant provides the accurate record, the RTO-II will release refunds after a proper assessment, he added.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, advisor for FTO postponed hearing of the case until next date for hearing and directed the parties to appear before him on said date to conclude arguments in the case.
