KARACHI, Sept 9: Tax consultants have called upon the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to gear up its efforts for mobilizing taxpayers towards filing of tax returns by starting media campaign through electronic and print media.

Speakers at a seminar on “Filing of Returns and Self Assessment Scheme, 2002-2003” organized by Income Tax Bar Association, Karachi (ITBAK) on Monday, were of unanimous view that with only three weeks left for filing of returns, Sept 30 being the last date, there is hardly any move on the part of CBR to create awareness among taxpayers.

The key-note speaker of the seminar, Anwer Kashif Mumtaz said that primary objective of successive governments had been to enhance taxpayers’ confidence in the tax system but authorities mostly used these schemes for raising their revenue collection figures.

However, he said the SAS 2002-2003 will be the last scheme because for next year the government had already announced Universal Self-Assessment Scheme under which whatever would be declared or paid towards tax by an assessee will be accepted by the tax authorities.

Referring towards some changes made in SAS 2002-03, he said unlike in the past when RCITs use to give 30 days for completing any deficiency in documents only 15 days have been allowed to taxpayer for completing such shortcomings.

Kashif said under SAS 2002-03, only those returns would qualify for SAS whose tax dues under section 54 has been fully paid and are filed under section 55 within the due date specified under the Ordinance including the date extended by CBR and 15 days time as allowed by the assessing officer.

Similarly, he said that only those registered firms of professionals have been allowed to file returns under SAS who are not liable to pay super tax under Clause (2B) of Para A of part IV of the First Schedule, and where tax is computed under Part II of the First Schedule.

He further said that only those new taxpayers will qualify for SAS who would file their wealth statement along with reconciliation statement irrespective of the quantum of income declared. The existing taxpayers, he said will have to file wealth statement along with their return if income declared is Rs2 lakh or more.

However, Kashif said that the existing taxpayers whose income declared is less than Rs2 lakh, the returns are to be accompanied with particulars of immovable properties and motor vehicles purchased during the year.

On the issue of declaring source of investment there was lengthy debate among the tax experts who were having different views on the issue. However, the chief guest Younus Rizwani Shaikh said that the tax authorities have a legal right to ask an assessee about the source of investment despite the fact that investment up to Rs5 lakh does not require any disclosure of source.

Kashif said that 20 per cent of cases filed under SAS will be selected for total audit. This may be through computer ballot (random or parametric) by CBR and by the Regional Commissioner of Income Tax on recommendation of the commissioners concerned.

Cases where loss has been declared or lump sum addition has been made for arriving at the income would not qualify for SAS. Similarly, he said non residents, modarabas, banking and leasing companies also do not qualify for the scheme.

The president ITBAK Abdul Qadir Memon appreciated the government for announcing SAS 2002-03, along with Finance Ordinance, which had not been the case in past when these schemes are made public much after the budget.