ISLAMABAD, May 22: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has detected various kinds of irritants in tax administration causing genuine discontent among the taxpayers.

The annual FTO’s report 2002 released to mediamen here on Thursday identified major irritants, and recommended appropriate steps for the eradication of such practices.

It said that these irritants resulted into losing of confidence of honest taxpayers, discouragement of investors particularly foreign investor, which causing loss to the national exchequer.

The report says that the irritants detected in the tax administration system includes improper keeping of records of taxpayers; general slackness in responding to taxpayer’s applications/ enquiries; subversion and disuse of prescribed office procedures.

It also includes lack of expertise in matters relating to government servant’s conduct, efficiency and disciplinary rules among administrative officers and other staff posted in the revenue departments; arbitrary and undesirable proposals/advice for legislation; discontinuance of prescribed periodical inspections deliberately substituted, through amendments in the relevant laws as well as administrative directions with creation of joint/ shared legal responsibility of assessing and inspecting officers.

The report says that it was also observed that the tax officials never keep proper record of performance; unlawful and extra-legal decision making was also found in a number of cases.

The other irritants include deficiency of knowledge and skills among the functionaries to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.