FTO probes 'misuse' of powers by Large Taxpayer Office

Islamabad: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has started an investigation against Large Taxpayer Office Islamabad (LTO) and summoned Commissioner Legal, Deputy Commissioner (Enforcement/Audit) and others to respond to allegations of misuse of powers to convert a taxpayer's status as "Inactive" to achieve the budgetary targets and block refunds.

The FTO office has directed the Revenue Division Secretary and Chief Commissioner LTO and other LTO tax employees to appear before FTO HQ Islamabad on September 13, 2021.

According to details, tax lawyer Waheed Shehzad had filed a plea on behalf of a taxpayer against the LTO Islamabad officers. Later, the FTO directed the FBR to submit a report on the allegations levelled against LTO tax employees. The complainant had accused that LTO officials had misused their powers and sent notices to the taxpayers under section 120(3)/(4) of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 and turned the tax status of the complainant as "Inactive" purposefully to block refunds.

FTO to conduct investigation against LTO Islamabad

When contacted, Waheed Shehzad Butt, who is representing this case before FTO, was of the view that the issuance of illegal notices is a rare instant of either overstepping the lawful jurisdiction or reflects incompetence of the tax department.

FTO notice stated: "Whereas the reply to the allegations made in the complaints has been received from the Chief Commissioner-IR, LTO Islamabad. And Whereas the hearing of the complaints has been fixed on 13.09.2021. Now therefore, you are required to appear for hearing on the date and time personally or through duly appointed attorney no below the status of BS-18/19, with all the record and witnesses you wish to produce and examine".

Personal appearance of the officers concerned, whose specific replies /comments were requisitioned earlier, is also required. The DR(s) shall produce Authority' letter issued by the competent authority to represent the department at the time of the hearing, FTO order added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021