KARACHI: In the last six months, tax refunds of PKR 1.60 billion have been returned to leather exporters, while last year the refunds were PKR 1 billion paid. More than 70% of tax refunds have been paid. A focal person will be appointed in KATI for tax issues of Korangi industrialists and members which will be notified within 24 hours. These views were expressed by Haider Ali Dharijo, Chief Commissioner, Inland Revenue, Regional Tax Office II, FBR, on the occasion of his visit to Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI). He was accompanied by KATI Patron-in-Chief SM Muneer, President Salman Aslam, CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Maheen Salman, Vice President Syed Farrukh Qandhari, Former Presidents KATI Saleem Alzaman, Danish Khan, Masood Naqi, Johar Qandhari, Ehtesham. Din, Tariq Malik, SM Yahya, Zaki Sharif, Commissioner RBR Lal Muhammad, Deputy Commissioner IT FBR Paras and other members were present.
Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Haider Ali Dharijo said that there were more than 150,000 return files among the submitters of statements in which there were more than 25,000 new filers. While 300 billion more taxes have been collected so far than the target and it is hoped that the set target will be completed ahead of time. He said that transparency is a top priority in FBR and all the procedures and documents for redressal of grievances have been made online. People can now easily get an Income Tax Certificate online, and returns can be submitted with one click. Similarly, refunds are also being issued automatically online.
The Chief Commissioner said that KATI is one of the largest industrial areas in Pakistan and that is why I am personally trying to solve the problems of the industrialists. Haider Ali Dharijo said that from next month, for the convenience of taxpayers, a series of e-hearings are being started in which people can call and lodge their grievances directly.
Earlier, SM Muneer, the Patron-in-Chief of KATI, said, “We want every businessman to pay taxes. We will never support tax evaders. But will not bribe the FBR authorities. He said that industrialists do business with money at 10% interest rate but tax authorities keep their money and refunds are not timely paid. Refunds have been stuck in the FBR since 2007.
President KATI Salman Aslam said that multiple notices are being issued to industrialists belonging to Korangi. Negative impressions should be removed due to some corrupt elements in FBR. He said that the system of payment of taxes and refunds should be simplified.
KITE CEO Zubair Chhaya said that the government has achieved its economic goals by differentiating between filers and non-filers but provided facilities to nine filers. He said that the industrialists were providing free services as holding agents of FBR but they were being harassed instead of being appreciated.
On the occasion, Chairman Standing Committee on FBR, SRB and Taxation Masood Naqi said that the industrialists were taking full advantage of the Faster Scheme but now complaints of missing cases were reported. The FBR should appoint a focal person in KATI to solve the problems of Korangi industrialists so that tax issues can be resolved in a timely manner.
