ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: Chairman, Central Board of Revenue (CBR), M. Abdullah Yousuf, on Tuesday directed the collectors of sales tax to make the refund payment to all genuine claimants without any delay.

Chairing the collectors of sales tax and collector appeals conference here, the chairman assured the collectors all possible support from the CBR in the completion of the job at the earliest.

During the conference various refund issues came under discussion and strategy was evolved to liquidate the pending cases.

The conference was informed that the total refunds paid to zero-rated and non-zero-rated sectors during the first half year of current fiscal year (July-Dec) 2006-07 were Rs23.028 billion as compared to Rs17.193bn in the same period of the year 2005-06.

Mr Yusuf urged the sales tax collectors to tap the huge revenue potential existing in various sectors of economy, which is essential for expanding the tax base of the country.

He advised the collectors to make serious efforts and visit all those areas which are yet to be explored for more revenue generation because the country earnestly needs it for enhancing its Tax-to-GDP ratio.

He said that the coming six months are very crucial because we have to put in place all the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) for facilitation of taxpayers.

Commenting on various automation projects, currently in different stages of completion, he asked the relevant officials to ensure that the new-automated systems must provide end-to-end solutions of all issues without any human interaction, involvement and discretion.

Secretary, Sales Tax and Federal Excise Wajid Ali, in his presentation informed that some of the revenue spinners have shown a remarkable growth which includes POL products (15.5 pc), telecom (44pc), sugar (35pc), LPG (22pc), electricity (77pc), services (12pc), cigarettes (33pc) etc.

Similarly, growth in major federal excise earning items were cigarettes (18pc) cement (22pc), POL products (34pc), beverages (37pc), cosmetics (40pc) etc., during the period under review over last year.

While reviewing the strategy for enhancing revenue in third and fourth quarters, it was decided that concerted efforts would be made for recovery of arrears, and for obtaining increased voluntary compliance through regular contacts with trade bodies and associations.

Chief Executive, PRAL, in his presentation, informed that his department had completed certain jobs which included holding of four workshops on e-filing of returns and enhancement of refund module and web-based application for registration is under pilot testing.

Jobs which are under process include complete revamping of return processing, risk assessment-based refund processing and enhanced registration application, he added.