November 15, 2001	Thursday	Shaba’an 28, 1422

ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Justice (Retd) Saleem Akhtar has said that due the lack of sufficient knowledge of officials about taxes, taxpayers are facing problems at their hands.

“There is need to change thought, process and attitude on the part of the CBR officials while dealing with the cases,” he said while receiving presentation on the existing management of tax collection and its accounting procedure.

The FTO observed that problems faced by the CBR in implementing the laws and rules in regard to collection of taxes would be solved if the concerned officers and staff possess sufficient knowledge as to what, when and how to take action.

He said there was a dire need of training for the tax officials to equip them with taxes procedures to facilitate the taxpayers.

Justice said that there were deficiencies and vacuum in the law in terms of its practical implementation.

The FTO stated that the CBR should appreciate and realize the problems in regard to collection of taxes and dealing with taxpayers. They should not share past mistakes but try to make changes and the CBR officials could perform their duties properly in accordance with the relevant rules and laws, he added.

The representatives of CBR explained the procedure of tax collection and assessment of Income Tax in detail.

The presentation was necessitated due to the difficulties/ problems faced by the CBR on promptly implementation of findings/decision of the FTO sometimes in different cases.