Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Saddle has said that 86 per cent decisions went in favour of tax payers that show maladministration in Federal Board of Revenue. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday he said that during 2012 FTO decided 1597 cases in which 86 per cent given in favor of tax payers while only 15 per cent were given in favor of FBR. He said that last year 1689 complaints were registered that is highest no of the complaints.
The FTO said that the amount refunded in 2012 is five times the total amount refunded in 2009 while in 2012 under FTO’s suo motu jurisdiction 23,250 duty draw back customs cases involving a refund of Rs 8.83 billion were settled up.
He said that during current fiscal year Rs 9.79 billion has been refunded due to effective steps of FTO while in 2011 this amount was 7.89 billion and Rs 7.08 billion in 2010. Average amount in 2000 to 2009 was Rs 200 million, Shoaib Saddle added.
Shoaib Saddle further informed that in 2012 the average time taken to decide a complaint was brought down to 48 days from 60 days in 2011, 67 days in 2010 and 117 days in 2009. He admitted that maladministration within our tax infrastructure is deep rooted but the FTO has fast emerged as an effective and an efficient instrument of good governance.
Further disclosing about the implementation of decisions of Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Saddle told the media men that 1420 cases implemented that are highest ever, adding that, during last two years more than 90 Chairman cases have been cleared.
The FTO said in refunded amount ha showed growth of 44 Chairman more than initial years and if we determined then this ratio would be increased to much more.
Talking about the issue of ISAF containers Shoaib Saddle said that after the effective policies of FTO 60 Chairman smuggling reduced and local industry showed improved.
Answering a question Federal Tax Ombudsman Shoaib Saddle said, “Our major phenomenon is right accountability if once top officials were brought to justice then system would be developed.” He said that to facilitate afghan transit trade a separate Director General has been appointed and a new SRO has been issued for tracking system of containers.
To another query of fake refund from FBR, Shoaib Saddle said that there are gaps in the system and widespread corruption, lack of effective accountability are the major reasons behind fake refunds. He said that fake refunds are not possible without involvement of officials of FBR and this culture should be changed for the welfare of the country.
86% decisions go in favour of tax payers: FTO
