ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed the Federal Board of Revenue that the continued administrative silence and non-decision-making cannot be tolerated, as it weakens enforcement and damages the credibility of the tax system.
FTO officials on Wednesday referred to a latest order of the FTO in the matter of a review petition filed by a taxpayer.
FTO has directed the FBR to ensure that the Commissioner concerned decides the pending application through a well-reasoned speaking order strictly in accordance with law, after proper scrutiny and verification of withholding tax claims, so that no unlawful refund is generated and no one is allowed to exploit departmental inertia.
The appropriate instructions are issued to all field formations emphasizing that statutory applications requiring approval or decided within prescribed timelines through continued administrative silence and non-decision-making cannot be tolerated, as it weakens enforcement, invites abuse of procedural provisions, and damages the credibility of the tax system, FTO directed the FBR.
Responsibility for such lapses should be fixed administratively to ensure that statutory duties are performed diligently across the Department, FTO added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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