The 9th meeting of Regional Tax Advisory Committee (RTAC) was held at the Conference Hall of RTO, Rawalpindi on January 25, 2012 with Shahid Anwar Khan, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, in the chair.
It was attended by the President & Vice President of RCCI, President and other Senior Tax Advisors/Advocates from Rawalpindi/Islamabad Tax Bar Association (RITBA) and a number of representatives of Trade Bodies/ Associations as well as Withholding Agents from Rawalpindi and adjoining areas including Jhelum, Tallagang, Attock, Hassanabdal, and Wah. All the Commissioners and Additional Commissioners of RTO Rawalpindi were also present on this occasion.
The Committee's primary aim is to provide a forum where key stakeholders of the tax system are engaged in a constructive exchange of views, in order to achieve the goal of Revenue mobilisation optimally. In the opening remarks, the Chief Commissioner RTO Rawalpindi said that presently the country was facing several challenges.
"Economic and financial challenge is at the top of all challenges faced by our nation. It is our collective responsibility to make our country economically sovereign and prosperous. Domestic Revenue Mobilization is the only way out to reduce our dependence on foreign assistance which is perforce, sought to finance the fiscal deficit. With that goal in mind every citizen of the country has to pay due taxes, timely so that the future of our children is secured."
The main agenda of the meeting was to take on board the traders and business communities before launching a vigorous exercise of Broadening of Tax Base as directed by the FBR with an assigned target and encourage Business/Trade community for voluntary compliance. Other agenda items included non-filing of returns, non-payment of taxes, legal responsibilities of Withholding Agents and delay in disposal of audit cases due to non-compliant attitude on the part of the taxpayers.
Javed Akhtar Bhatti, President, RCCI, Raja Amir Iqbal, Senior Vice President RCCI, Chaudhry Iqbal Ahmed, Vice President, RCC&I, Rawalpindi, Shaukat Hayat Baloch, President Rawalpindi/Islamabad Tax Bar Association, Agha Mujeeb Ahmed Khan, President Elect, Abdul Basit and Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, Sr. Members Rwp/Ibd Tax Bar Association, were amongst the eminent participants who appreciated the efforts of the RTO, Rawalpindi, for holding such kind of meetings which bridges the gap between the Taxpayers and Tax Collectors. In a successful, lively interactive session the Trade & Industry Representatives along with the representatives of the Tax counsellors contributed their valuable suggestions.-PR