ISLAMABAD, March 17: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has established a steering committee to prepare a complete blueprint and implementation plan for the universal self-assessment scheme (USAS) for the tax returns of 2003.

A senior official in the CBR told Dawn on Monday the decision was taken on the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund as part of the restructuring of the tax administration.

The steering committee would comprise the members of taxpayers facilitation, audit, direct taxes, human resources and management, information technology, and tax reforms.

According to the official, the committee to be headed by member tax reforms, would meet on regular basis at least fortnightly to monitor progress, provide direction on key issues and obstacles. They would also ensure that key deliverables were met in accordance with the comprehensive project plan, said the official.

The official said that before the implementation of USAS scheme, the tax authorities would conduct a workshop of key officials, with assistance provided by available consulting staff to devise a formal project plan, including key actions, names of officials responsible and timeliness.

According to the official, further measures would be taken to reinforce the importance of adherence to the new requirements. The tax authorities would incorporate additional taxpayer educations activities concerning record-keeping in the line full self-assessment implementation plan.

For taxpayers education and facilitation, the official said taxpayers facilitation centres strategy would be finalized by end of March.

The tax authorities would also ensure a comprehensive publicity and education programme, which would be implemented and commenced from June 2003, concerning the new arrangements.

The official said the CBR would take action to quickly resolve the design of income tax returns, while ensuring that proper consideration was given to ease of completion by taxpayers rapid computer processing by tax officials and the tax capturing of sufficient information for audit selection purposes.