During two days meetings at the FBR House, the US team obtained detailed briefing on the tax reforms, refund system, audit, automation, enforcement and initiatives taken for the implementation of the Value Added Tax (VAT). Both the sides discussed the technical co-operation in reformation of taxation machinery, the sources said.
On the conclusion of meetings, the US team would decide either to provide technical assistance in terms of experts and funds. Pakistani tax authorities have informed the US team about the requirements of the technical assistance for tax administration reforms. The three member team would leave for Karachi on Thursday (today) to visit tax offices at the business hub of the country.
Sources said that the US government is ready to provide assistance in carrying out VAT-related research to give viable input on implementation of tax reforms. The assessment team of the US Government Treasury Department has focused on several areas like long-term tax reforms plan, tax laws implementation and systems applicable to determine whether the taxpayers file correct and timely tax returns?
It would also analyse data on registration process for the new taxpayers and effectiveness of the audit programme along with the automation of the tax organisation and internal mechanism to detect dishonest tax personnel. The team convened meetings with the tax officials engaged in tax policy, administrative law and regulations.
The team met officials engaged in returns processing and accounting, audit of tax returns and those involved in supervising and monitoring tax collection. The US team also met tax officials related to the human resources management (HRM), information technology, internal controls and the taxpayer service and education.