Latest news with #FTOOrdinance
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
DRAP STRN deregistration case: FTO orders swift conclusion
ISLAMABAD: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has instructed the Large Taxpayers Office (LTO), Islamabad to promptly conclude proceedings in the matter of de-registration of Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN) application of Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). The complaint was filed under Section 10(1) of the FTO Ordinance, 2000, citing prolonged inaction by the tax authorities despite clear directions from the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) to reconsider the case afresh. The Complainant pointed out that no decision had been made on their statutory application for de-registration, while notices continued to be issued for tax compliance, resulting in procedural confusion and administrative hardship. FTO observed that the delay in implementing the Tribunal's order and inaction on the de-registration request fell within the definition of maladministration as per Section 2(3) of the FTO Ordinance. The matter is further complicated by a legislative amendment that potentially exempts regulatory and licensing bodies like DRAP from certain taxes under the Islamabad Capital Territory (Tax on Services) Ordinance, 2001. The LTO in its response claimed that remand proceedings were underway, and a hearing notice had already been issued. However, no final order had been passed. The complainant's authorized representative confirmed receipt of the notice but emphasized that the application for de-registration had still not been adjudicated. Taking serious note of the administrative delays, the FTO has directed the Chief Commissioner, LTO Islamabad to expedite the conclusion of de novo proceedings in line with the Tribunal's remand order and decide the complainant's pending application for de-registration in accordance with applicable laws. The LTO has been asked to submit a compliance report within 45 days. This direction by the FTO reflects a continued push for institutional responsibility and fair treatment of taxpayers by ensuring due process is not sacrificed at the altar of bureaucratic inertia. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
President endorses 92pc of FTO orders against FBR
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has endorsed over 92 percent of the orders of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) during 2024. The President's endorsement to the FTO's order reflects President's approach towards taxpayers' facilitation and encouraging voluntary compliance and documentation. In most of the cases, President Zardari gave orders in favour of the taxpayers and against the FBR. Senior FTO officials told media here on Tuesday at the FTO Headquarters that in 2024, FTO made 12,742 decisions in favour of the taxpayers, but only 1,030 were challenged before the President. The President upheld over 92 percent of the FTO in favour of the taxpayers. However, in the year 2024, a record number of 13506 complaints were registered with the FTO against the tax functionaries. A total of 12914 complaints were decided from the complaints lodged with the FTO in the year 2024, thereby surpassing all previous records which reflects the confidence of taxpayers in FTO for the resolution of grievances against FBR officials. In 2024, FTO made recommendations on 13,500 complaints, but only 336 of those were challenged in representations with the President. The President reviewed 379 representations, including some carried over from 2023, and decided 326 cases in favour of the FTO. An amount of Rs22.79 billion was credited back to taxpayers as refund claim on the directions of FTO in the year 2024. Average time taken for the disposal of complaints was reduced to an impressive 34.11 days in the year 2024. Over 1705 complaints were resolved in a matter of days, in the year 2024 through informal dispute resolution under sect 33 of FTO Ordinance. The notable surge in the registration of complaints in 2024 is attributed to record 270 outreach sessions across Pakistan's business community and other institutions conducted by Federal Tax Ombudsman, FTO officials added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
