KARACHI, Dec 22: Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Shoaib Suddle has said that a web-based complaint handling system is being set up to address taxpayers’ grievances efficiently.

He said the misuse of discretionary powers by tax collectors was often not reported and suggested that trade bodies should raise their voice against such malpractices.

He said that in order to get rid of widespread maladministration in the FBR a total shift was required in the policies because the approach was still based on old colonial systems and practices.

Addressing the members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) here on Saturday he deplored the country’s dismal tax-to-GDP ratio and said that this was because influential were not punished for their tax evasion.

Pakistan has one of the lowest tax ratio of around 9 per cent as against 16 per cent in India and 51 per cent in Sweden. “Everyone must pay tax if we have to run this country,” he remarked.

The FTO said that on his suo motu action the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) provided relief of Rs8 billion to 196,000 taxpayers. “However, it is not an office to facilitate tax evaders, but to provide relief against unjust taxation by the tax collectors.”

He however regretted that tax compliance is very low as only 700,000 people filed tax returns this year.Earlier KATI Chairman Mohammad Zubair Chhaya agreed to the issues raised by President All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA) Mian Zahid Hussain and assured that taxpayers woes to be considered especially in adjudications wherein malpractice is prevalent.