The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has directed all Regional Commissioners of Income Tax (RCITs) to avoid attestation of National Tax Numbers (NTNs), as certain persons have presented fake NTNs before the income tax regional offices for verifications. Official sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that the CBR has issued instructions to RCITs to check the use of fake NTNs in the field formation.

It has been brought to the notice of the board that fake NTNs are placed before regional tax authorities. It is a sensitive issue, therefore, field formation should not attest any NTN unless authenticated by the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (Pral).Commenting on the directive, officials said some persons might have submitted fake NTNs for attestations and subsequent verifications.

The CBR has asked the field formation that they should not attest printed copies of NTN. The printed copy of NTN does not reflect whether it is authentic and the department must approach Pral for verification. The CBR has give the facility of NTN verification on the website for the facilitation purposes, officials added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2005