Tax Ombudsman disposes of 18 complaints
Wednesday, 1 August 2007
Naim-Ul-Karim
The Tax Ombudsman, the revenue-judicial body, has so far disposed of 18 complaints in connection with the tax-related disputes and delinquencies.
"We received a total of 80 complaints since our start-up in December last," said a high official of the Tax Ombudsman.
Out of 80, he said, 29 complaints were recorded for investigation after scrutiny.
When asked, he said remaining 50 complaints were not taken into consideration after scrutiny, as those were submitted with defective information and documents.
The Office of Tax Ombudsman, after disposing of the complaints, has asked the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take steps in the light of its recommendations, the official said.
However, the Tax Ombudsman's office, which is now working with only 10 personnel, could not recruit any more manpower even after five months of submitting organogram with 41 posts including two advisers and four directors, sources said.
Besides, they said, the Tax Ombudsman rules for investigation and disposal of the complaints are yet to be finalised.
Sources say that people are yet to be aware that the Tax Ombudsman is empowered with settling any dispute relat ed to taxes -- VAT, import duty and income tax.
A Tax ombudsman official said they held some view exchange meetings with different professional groups including leaders of the trade bodies, income tax lawyers and journalists.
The complaints, he said, can be sent through courier service, post office or personally.
Regarding submission of a few complaints, he said, "So far we understand that the harassment to the taxpayers by a section of revenue officials have declined since the formation of the revenue-judicial body."
The Tax Ombudsman, the revenue-judicial body, has so far disposed of 18 complaints in connection with the tax-related disputes and delinquencies.
"We received a total of 80 complaints since our start-up in December last," said a high official of the Tax Ombudsman.
Out of 80, he said, 29 complaints were recorded for investigation after scrutiny.
When asked, he said remaining 50 complaints were not taken into consideration after scrutiny, as those were submitted with defective information and documents.
The Office of Tax Ombudsman, after disposing of the complaints, has asked the National Board of Revenue (NBR) to take steps in the light of its recommendations, the official said.
However, the Tax Ombudsman's office, which is now working with only 10 personnel, could not recruit any more manpower even after five months of submitting organogram with 41 posts including two advisers and four directors, sources said.
Besides, they said, the Tax Ombudsman rules for investigation and disposal of the complaints are yet to be finalised.
Sources say that people are yet to be aware that the Tax Ombudsman is empowered with settling any dispute relat ed to taxes -- VAT, import duty and income tax.
A Tax ombudsman official said they held some view exchange meetings with different professional groups including leaders of the trade bodies, income tax lawyers and journalists.
The complaints, he said, can be sent through courier service, post office or personally.
Regarding submission of a few complaints, he said, "So far we understand that the harassment to the taxpayers by a section of revenue officials have declined since the formation of the revenue-judicial body."