June 21, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 20,1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

ISLAMABAD, June 20: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Justice Saleem Akhtar (retired), has asked the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to work out the compensation for delayed release of refund to a complainant.

The decision was taken on the complaint of and insurance company which was aggrieved by non-issuance of compensation under section 102 of the Income Tax Ordinance due to them on refund of Rs1.505 million paid on May 20, 2002.

The FTO observed that postponing issuance of compensation on the pretext of adjusting it against a possible tax demand was clearly an after-thought to cover up an act of omission falling in the realm of mal-administration.

The justice directed the CBR that additional payment for delayed refund as admitted to be properly worked out as per section 171 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 and issued to the complainant.

The FTO further said those responsible for delay in issuance of refund for over five to 15 years be identified and admonished for burdening the exchequer with cost for delay.

PROFESSIONAL FEE: In another case, the FTO asked the commissioner of income tax to pay shortly the professional fee of a complainant.

The decision was taken on the complaint of a lawyer, who had appeared on behalf of commissioner of income tax, Faisalabad, in a case and submitted a bill for the payment of professional fee for Rs32,370 on December 20, 2000, which was yet to be released to him.