Federal cabinet approves rules to expedite disposal of pending tax cases

Federal cabinet has approved the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue Conditions of Service Rules 2024 to expedite the disposition of pending tax cases, Radio Pakistan reported on Wednesday.

The federal cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the measure during a meeting held in Islamabad.

The approved regulations will govern the appointment of members of the Inland Revenue Appellate Tribunals.

Liquidation of certain appellate fora: Cabinet approves amendments to tax laws

The committee will include representatives of coalition parties while Adviser to Prime Minister on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah will chair it.

A tax amount of Rs2.7 trillion was still under litigation either in tribunals or in appellant courts. Most of the cases are stuck at the first level of Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals).

Earlier, it was expected that the government might promulgate a Presidential Ordinance to reduce forums of appeals to decide litigation of over 27,000 tax-related cases pending at the level of Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) across the country.

Over 27,000 tax-related cases pending: Ord likely to reduce forums of appeals

The Federal cabinet also approved the amendments in the Tosha Khana Gifts Rules.

These revisions mandate that gifts such as shields, souvenirs, and other similar gifts that are not retained by the recipient shall be placed in any conspicuous place on the premises of the recipient’s institution and properly recorded.

It is important to mention that during the Pakistan Democratic Movement government, the then federal cabinet approved the Tosha Khana Policy 2023, under which the President, Prime Minister, and other government officials, including cabinet members, were banned from receiving gifts worth more than 300 dollars.

Pending litigation cases: nearly 80% amount with Appellate Tribunal, Collectors/Commissioners (Appeal)

According to this policy, no public office holder will be able to keep a gift worth more than 300 dollars and a gift of less than 300 dollars can be received by paying money under the prevailing procedure.

On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health, donations of one million bottles of Multi-Micro Nutrients supplements for pregnant women by Kirk Humanitarian America and Junaid Family Foundation got an exemption from taxes and duties.