ISLAMABAD: As per the directives of Syed Shabbar Zaidi, chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), an official notification has been issued on Monday to bar tax officials from direct interaction with taxpayers.
The official memorandum sent to offices of Inland Revenue and Pakistan Customs, the FBR said that the ban has been imposed keeping in view the prevailing perception of FBR and also to do away with fake communication from some quarters and to build the confidence level taxpayers.
It has been decided that no officer/official of the FBR Headquarters or its field formation will contact any taxpayer or businessman in any form i.e. physical visit, telephonic/mobile calls, SMS or email etc. except when legally authorized to do so. However, the authorized communication will only be made through legal notice or official communication with QR Code/Bar code, the FBR added.
The FBR said that the policy would come into force from November 01, 2019 and any officer/official found indulged in such activities would be proceeded under the Government Servant (Conduct) Rules, 1964 read with Government Servant (E&D) Rules, 1973.
The notification said that the directives would apply to all formations of FBR being Inland Revenue (Income Tax, Sales Tax and Federal Excise Duty) and Customs.
The FBR advised taxpayers, business community and trade bodies to assist in implementing the policy by reporting to FBR any contravention of these directives.
