FBR Chairman Emphasises Importance Of Clearing Pending Refunds

by Mary Swire, Tax-News.com, Hong Kong

14 August 2008

Speaking at a Conference for Directors General, Large Taxpayers Units (LTUs) and Regional Tax Offices (RTOs)on Wednesday, Chairman of Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue, Ahmad Waqar directed the senior tax mangers to clear all the pending refund payment cases as a matter of priority, and urged them to ensure that due payment must be made without any further delay.

Mr Waqar was addressing the officials at a Conference held at FBR Headquarters in Pakistan on Wednesday.

He revealed that FBR was receiving a number of complaints regarding refund payment:

"We have to reduce this number to a minimal level," he argued, going on to add:

"Simultaneously, we need to keep a constant check on fake refund claims so that no payment is made on fraudulent claims."

Speaking with regard to the ongoing tax reform programme, the Chairman asked the tax officers to extend all help and support to make this programme a complete success.

He said that he was watching the reforms process closely to achieve the desired results, and asked the Directors General to identify the difficulties faced by them in the system, so that corrective measures can be taken with immediate effect.

The Chairman asked the tax managers to share their ideas with the Board to make further progress in achieving targets, including enhancement in the tax-to-GDP ratio, and broadening of the tax base.

Talking about the existing image of FBR, Mr Waqar stated that the FBR needs to improve its perception of being unfriendly to the taxpayers, stressing that:

"Our approach should be to help and facilitate the taxpayers."

The Chairman observed that tax collection was not an easy job, and added:

"We have to create an environment in which the taxpayers pay the due taxes, willingly."

Recommended