ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has withdrawn instructions issued to all the Commissioners (Appeals) to use powers of inquiry under fiscal laws (income tax, sales tax, and the FED) to avoid unnecessary annulment with directions.

According to the FBR's instructions to all Commissioners Inland Revenue (Appeals) here on Friday, the FBR's office letter dated February 15, 2021 stand withdrawn ab-initio, it added.

The FBR's instructions were related to the powers of inquiry available to the Commissioner (Appeals) stipulated under section 128(4) of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, 45B(3) of the Sales Tax Act 1990, and section 33(3) of the Federal Excise Act 2015.

The said FBR instructions have been withdrawn, here on Friday.

The FBR has withdrawn the earlier directive issued to the Commissioners (Appeals) of exercising powers of inquiry under the said provisions of the law.

"I am directed to invite your kind attention towards the express provisions of sub-section (4) of section 128 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001; (3) of section 45B of Sales Tax Act 1990 and (3) of section 33 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, and to state that the power envisaged under section (4) of section 128 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001, 45B of the Sales Tax Act 1990, and 33 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, may be exercised and unnecessary annulment of orders with directions may be avoided," the FBR secretary appeals (Legal Wing)'s statement in the earlier instructions said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021