Taxpayers falling under the jurisdiction of newly created Regional Tax Office (RTO) Sahiwal are facing multiple problems due to non-updation of database. Tax experts told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the RTO Sahiwal was created with effect from July 1, 2017 out of the area earlier assigned to RTO, Multan. The copy of the Jurisdiction Order dated 29.06.2017 of RTO Sahiwal was endorsed to the Second Secretary (IT), FBR for updating the database.

However, after elapse of more than ten days the database has not been updated and the taxpayers whose jurisdiction stands assigned to RTO Sahiwal are facing grave difficulties in making tax compliance and in ancillary matters.

As per tax lawyer Shahid Jami M/s Hi Tech Edible Oils Pvt Limited, Sahiwal has made a representation to the Chairman FBR and CEO of Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) for prompt updation of jurisdiction in the software. As per their representation the sales tax registration of the company was suspended by the Commissioner Corporate Zone, Multan but the suspension order was vacated by the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue directing the Commissioner to restore the registration.

But the Commissioner Multan says that he has no jurisdiction after 30.06.2017 whereas the Commissioner Sahiwal says that the software data has not been updated and he has no access to restore the registration. As per representation the due date of filing of sales tax return for the month of June 2017 is approaching whereas the database has not been updated and return cannot be filed and even the tax cannot be paid at rightful place of jurisdiction. Shahid Jami urged that FBR should have issued jurisdiction order only once Chief Commissioner was posted there and database was updated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017