ISLAMABAD, Feb 19: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Justice Saleem Akhtar, has directed the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to release the total withheld refund of Rs21.497 million to a complainant shortly.

The ombudsman observed that withholding of due refunds against five assessment years of the complainant was contrary to law and it should be released to them within 30 days of this order.

The FTO in his decision issued on Tuesday asked the CBR to issue the determined refund to the complainant for the assessment years 1998-99 and 1999-2000 stood at Rs2.6717 million along with compensation as admissible under section 171 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

He said that the credit for deduction under section 50 of the Income Tax Ordinance 1979 relating to the assessment year 1989-90 be allowed after verification and resultant refund if any be issued.

The ombudsman directed the board that the determined refund of Rs4.131 for the assessment years 1991-92, 1992-93 and 1993-94 be issued along with the compensation as admissible under section 171 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001.

The complainant, M/s Amin Fabrics Limited, Karachi has alleged inordinate deliberate delay in getting refunds from the income tax department.