Some businessmen have already started propaganda against software and sent complaints to FBR
FBR IT Secretary Zainul Abdeen has said there was no technical fault in IRIS
KARACHI: Newly elected Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Iftikhar Ahmed Vohra said on Wednesday traders were facing difficulties during e-filing of their tax returns.
Talking exclusively to Customs Today, he said complications had surfaced in the recently launched software IRIS, adding that several programmes were giving error messages and columns have also not been added. He said errors at a large scale have surfaced in the software.
Taxpayers are facing difficulties in submitting tax returns and wealth statements. The Pakistan Tax Bar Association has written a six-page letter to FBR Chairman Tariq Bajwa in which the flaws have been pointed out. The FBR chairman has also been requested to rectify the errors to help taxpayers submit their tax returns.
He said, “If the last date to submit tax returns is not being extended then the old form should be reactivated. He said law and order in Karachi was worrisome and an electronic showroom owner was killed in Landhi three days ago. He was receiving death threats.
“We have condoled with the grieving family on behalf of the KCCI. When I went there charged people were protesting. We controlled the situation. Through Customs Today, I request to the Sindh inspector general to probe the matter.”
He said traders were receiving death threats and were being forced to pay extortion money.
“I appeal to both federal and provincial governments that crime cannot be curbed until you clamp down pre-paid SIMs. Now traders are asked to pay extortion money via easypaisa.”
He requested to the Sindh government to install CCTV cameras in markets.
Earlier, Customs Today had reported that some businessmen started propaganda against the software and the FBR had received several complaints from tax bars, chambers and other business and trader organisations.
However, FBR IT Secretary Zainul Abdeen had told Customs Today that there was no technical fault in IRIS.
He also said, “Fault lies with the people as they cannot use it. It is a new programme and people will take time in getting familiar to it. So far IRIS is performing pretty well. I monitor it myself and have given my cell phone number. I can be contacted anytime in case of problem.”
