However, the cases with proof or evidence of gross irregularities may be intimated to the board for guidelines as to further necessary action. Sources said that it was earlier decided by Sohail Ahmed, chairman, FBR at a meeting with the representatives of Income Tax Bar Association (ITBA) on January 9, 2010 held at FBR camp office here.
They said the ITBA members informed the chairman that the notices in pending audit case for tax year 2008 were being sent to taxpayers. However, the cases for tax year 2008 have already been selected through random ballot with the understanding that no further cases would be taken up for tax year-2008.
They said the FBR chief has assured the Bar that the proceeding in pending audit cases for tax year 2008 would be filed and no new cases would be selected in audit for year 2008 and added that the cases selected through computerised ballot for tax year-2008 would only be processed.
They said the policy regarding 20 percent selection of cases for audit for tax year 2008 has finally been revisited and FBR has restricted the authority concerned not to conduct audit of cases for tax year 2008 other than those selected through balloting.
They said that FBR chief has intimated the representatives of bar to devise a uniform policy for audit of case for tax year 2009. For the purpose, he directed the member policy (Direct Taxes)/Domestic Operation South to immediately take up the matter for a policy decision. They said the selection of cases for audit for tax year 2009 would now be taken up in right earnest since shortfall in revenue would occur.
They said that the issue regarding issuance of exemption certificate under section 153 of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 vis-à-vis Sales Tax registration was also discussed at a meeting. And the Bar members claimed that if tax liability was paid for the whole year then exemption certificate should have been issued for the whole year without exception.
Keeping this in view, it has been suggested that Sales Tax Registration number may be mentioned on the application while issuing exemption certificate or pursuing refund applications to ensure the taxpayers qualified for sales tax registration. Najam Irshad Khan, president, ITBA, Abdul Qadir Memon, president Pakistan Tax Bar Association, Muhammad Zubair, general secretary, ITBA along with other members attended the meeting.