FPCCI proposes adjudication, accountability powers to FTO

KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has proposed that the tax adjudication cases should be handled under the supervision of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) office for a fair, neutral, transparent and competent resolution.
Speaking on the occasion of Dr Asif Mahmood Jah, FTO Pakistan’s visit to the FPCCI Head Office in Karachi, the apex trade body president Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo said that the FPCCI appreciates the FTO’s recent notice and report on the misuse of powers by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials in issuing fake notices and accessing bank accounts of the taxpayers unnecessarily.
He apprised the audience that it has been the FPCCI’s longstanding demand to have a well-reputed, fearless, competent and senior officer appointed as the FTO.
Highlighting the major issues with the income tax cases, the FPCCI president said discrimination, delay, injustice, non-transparency and non-payment of refunds are plaguing the taxation system of the country and that is the reason the apex trade body recommends sweeping reforms.
Hanif Lakhany, vice president of the FPCCI, said that the business community is, for the first time, feeling secure and protected against the tax and Customs officials’ harassment and highhandedness; due to the fair redressal by the FTO office.

He also thanked the government for having the right man for the right job.
Nasir Khan, vice president of the FPCCI, expressed satisfaction over the performance of the FTO office but maintained that the tax and Customs authorities use delaying and procrastinating tactics to avoid swift redressal of the issues of business, industry and trade community.
To resolve these grievances, the FTO should be given the authority to reprimand and punish the corrupt officers, he said.
Dr Asif Mahmood Jah apprised the audiences on the mandate and the performance of the Federal Tax Ombudsman and said that on an average, 90 per cent of the complaints by the business community go in their favour.
The complainants have the option of appeal to the FTO or even filing a representation with the constitutional office of the president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Dr Jah said that the FTO cannot directly reprimand the tax and Customs officials but he can make his observations on the misuse of powers, maladministration, anomalies, harassment and corruption; and, those are taken seriously.
Another limitation of the FTO is that “we cannot take up cases, which have been already taken up by any court of law and are sub judice”.
Explaining other functions of the institution, Dr Jah said that inspections, own-motion actions and research are also mandated.
He said he wants to expedite the turnaround time for resolution of complaints from 60 days to 60 hours. He also agreed to the FPCCI’s demand of setting up help desks at the FPCCI offices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.