LAHORE: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has adjourned the hearing of a case filed by M/s Ejaz Steel Furnace and Re-rolling Mills against the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Gujranwala until the next hearing.
FTO Consultant (I&M) Tariq Yousaf heard the case NO: 464/FTO-LHR0000893/16 filed by Muhammad Imteaz Malik, M/s Ejaz Steel Furnace and Re-rolling Mills, in which the counsel for appellant contended that the RTO had failed to release the refunds since three years.
He said the RTO has been collecting excessive tax from M/s Ejaz Steel Furnace and Re-rolling Mills for the last three years. He approached the officer concerned many a time for release of refunds but the RTO Gujranwala officials did not pay the claims.
At last the appellant decided to approach the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) seeking intervention in the case. The counsel appealed the FTO to direct the RTO Gujranwala to clear refunds’ claims as early as possible.
The counsel further said delay in release of refunds’ claims put a burden on the taxpayer. The RTO should make audit of the case and release the extra amount collected by it from the taxpayer.
On the other hand, counsel for RTO Gujranwala argued that the appellant has not submitted all the records to the office on which basis he is claiming refunds. If appellant provides an accurate record, the RTO will release refunds, if any, after a proper assessment, he added.
After hearing arguments from both sides, FTO adjourned the case until the next date for further hearing and directed the parties to appear on the said date to present arguments in the case.
