The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has been empowered to implement any administrative and operational decision through Cabinet Committee for Federal Revenue (CCFR). Sources told Business Recorder on Thursday that the board has acquired these powers through Federal Board of Revenue Act, 2007 to work independently.
The CCFR, headed by the Minister for Finance or the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, would give approval of CBR proposals for speedy implementation. The board has not requested amendment in the Finance Bill 2007-2008 for obtaining more powers, as FBR Act, 2007 is enough to enhance the financial and operational autonomy of CBR.
Sources said that the section 10 of the FBR Act, 2007 related to the directions from the federal government. Under section 10, "The Federal Government may, from time to time, direct or advise the Board to conduct its affairs and perform its functions in such a manner as specified by the Federal Government in this behalf. The federal government may also entrust the Board the functions and powers under any law for the time being in force and such directions shall be binding on the Board".
Sources said that it was not clear whether the CBR has to go to the federal government for approval of the decisions under section 10 of the FBR Act, 2007 or not. However, legal experts clarified to the board that the tax authorities would not be required to go to the federal government in this regard. The approval of the CCFR committee would be enough for implementation of any tax-related decision. Therefore, there is no need to amend the Finance Bill for replacing the words "federal government" with the Cabinet Committee for Federal Revenue (CCFR).
The Cabinet Committee for Federal Revenue as a supervisory body shall approve guidelines with regard to the policy, planning, reforms, budget and any such other matter referred to it by the Board.
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