FTO launches help desk at KATI

KARACHI: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Dr Asif Mahmood Jah, has announced the establishment of a help desk at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) to assist industrialists with their tax-related problems.

The move aims to improve public awareness about the FTO’s role in resolving taxpayer complaints. Addressing KATI members, Dr Jah emphasized the FTO’s commitment to resolving complaints efficiently, adding that the institution is mandated to resolve complaints within 60 days, but it maintains an average resolution time of 38 days.

He highlighted the FTO’s independence and authority, noting that its decisions are rarely overturned. He emphasized the independence and authority of the FTO, whose decisions can only be appealed to the president of Pakistan. Of the 550 appeals filed with the President, 490 decisions by the FTO were upheld. In a testament to the FTO’s effectiveness, a significant refund claim of Rs17.8 billion was successfully resolved in 2021.

Dr Jah assured taxpayers that they can report complaints without fear of retaliation.KATI President Johar Qandhari expressed concerns about the increasing harassment of industrialists by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through unwarranted notices and audits. He cited delays in tax return processing and arbitrary withholding of refunds as major challenges faced by the business community.