Obtaining NOC for NTN change: Taxpayers facing serious problems

The registered taxpayers are facing serious problems in complying with the mandatory provision of obtaining the 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) from the concerned Inland Revenue Officer for "change in the particular" given for the National Tax Number (NTN).
In a letter to FBR Chairman Salman Siddique, the Lahore Tax Bar Association (LTBA) said here on Saturday that nowadays process of "change in the particular" of NTN data has been changed and NOC from the concerned Inland Revenue Officer is mandatory. This exercise of change in NTN and obtaining NOC discourages taxpayer to be enrolled rather than to facilitate taxpayer. The condition must be withdrawn to facilitate the taxpayers.
The Association said that the new income tax return forms have just been finalised and now taxpayers can prepare tax returns and discharge their national and moral duty to submit income tax returns. This year, lots of new taxpayers will file their returns through E-FBR Web Portal as they are bound to file return electronically through E-FBR Web Portal.
To file income tax return through E-FBR Web Portal, e-registration/e-enrolment is necessary and following problems are being faced by the taxpayers to get themselves registered. It is pertinent to mention here that this problem is faced by those taxpayers who are registered with tax department prior to period July 2009. It said that when the taxpayer applies for e-registration, up-to-date address and information of taxpayer is not available in the portal and taxpayer cannot amend address and information as well.
If address is correct in portal and taxpayer tries to fill out remaining particulars the system shows error that taxpayer is required to file manual application for change in NTN particulars. Without manual application taxpayer is unable to get e-enrolment, the Association added.
Nowadays, process of "change in the particular" of NTN data has been changed and NOC from the concerned Inland Revenue Officer is mandatory. This exercise of Change in NTN and obtaining NOC discourages taxpayer to be enrolled rather than to facilitate taxpayer. The condition must be withdrawn to facilitate the taxpayers, the Association said.
"Keeping in view the above-mentioned problems/obstacles you are requested to kindly allow taxpayer to change. I edit or enter new particulars in e portal at least to the extent of e-enrolment and filing of Income Tax returns. In this way, taxpayer will be relaxed and will be able to file income tax return within the time allowed by FBR," the association added.