Home »Stocks and Bonds » Pakistan » e-returns: Dar irked by taxmen’s Complacency

  • News Desk
  • Sep 22nd, 2015
  • Comments Off on e-returns: Dar irked by taxmen’s Complacency
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has reportedly admonished Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials for their inability to facilitate taxpayers in filing their electronic returns and given them one week to resolve the issue, it was learnt. Sources said that the Finance Minister on Saturday visited FBR headquarters and inquired from tax officials about complaints on filing of e-return.

They added that FBR officials put the entire responsibility on taxpayers and stated that problems have been occurring in the system because of their failure to properly use the software of e-filing. "Filers need to get someone's help in filing their tax returns," said an official of PRAL, which implies that filers would have to incur a cost and hire an accountant/tax consultant to file his/her tax returns.

However, other officials blamed software system for the problem and stated that it requires an improvement. "We need to increase capacity of the system as it was originally prepared for regular filers and as the number of filers rose after the imposition of withholding tax on banking transactions, the system is unable to cater to the larger numbers," they added. The meeting was informed that taxpayers are filing returns with zero payment of tax to avoid any tax liability on their banking transactions. Sources quoted Minister for IT Anosha Rehman as saying that her ministry is ready to extend any kind of help to improve the system. They added complaints about problems in filing e-returns have been coming to Finance Ministry from all quarters. They added that the Minister convened a meeting on Friday, which was postponed till Saturday, and member IT, FBR, Chief Executive PRAL and other IT-related officials were summoned to discuss difficulties faced by the regular and prospective e-filers and look into their complaints.

According to a statement, the Member IT briefed the Finance Minister about the system in place for filing e-returns, and he pointed out that the system was under a strain due to a growing number of filers but measures were being taken to ease the situation.

Dar gave instructions that it was the obligation of the IT officials of FBR/PRAL to resolve the difficulties faced by taxpayers. He asked for a regular update on the e-filing issue. It was decided that M/o IT & Telecom would provide assistance to FBR to ensure better IT and e-filing service to public. The Minister also emphasised efforts to achieve the revenue targets set for the fiscal year 2015-16. Senior officials of the Ministry of Finance and FBR attended the meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2015


the author

Top
Close
Close