The detection was disclosed by the Member IT, FBR after crosschecking the tax details of employees provide by the companies with the number income tax returns filers. Sources said that after scrutinizing the annual statement submitted by the companies under section 165 (6) of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 with number of income tax returns filed by the employees, the department came to know that huge number of employees, serving in these 113 corporate companies, whom tax was deducted at source, were unable to file their income tax returns in tax year 2016.
Keeping the said in view, the FBR in order to facilitate its field formation has undertaken an exercise not only for broadening of tax base but also for filing of tax returns from non-filer corporate employees. For the purpose, a list of 113 companies having 1000 plus employees has been prepared indicating total employees, filers and non-filers employees in tax year 2016.
Moreover sources said that chief commissioners of Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) and LTUs were sent written directives to approach Chief Operating Officers (COOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of these companies and convince them to ensure filing of returns from the employees as a statutory obligation. In addition, RTOs and LTUs having jurisdiction over such employees were also ordered to coordinate with such tax offices having jurisdiction over such companies in order to generate extra revenue, increase in tax base and reduce the figure of non-filers.
Replying to a question, sources said that companies failed to file annual statement for said period were not included in the list; adding that these 113 corporate units were from refineries, internet services, containers terminals, shipping companies, banking, aviation, textile, petroleum, pharmaceutical, sugar, insurance sectors and others.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017