ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has highlighted measures taken through Finance Act, 2021 to automate the procedures for facilitating taxpayers.
The FBR through an income tax circular highlighted the following measures taken for automation of procedures:
Automated issuance of refunds
In order to claim refunds, a taxpayer has to file refund application and provide documents for physical verification. To facilitate taxpayers, centralized automated refund system has been introduced where there will be no requirement for application and verification. The system based verified refunds would be issued directly into the bank accounts of taxpayers without any face to face contact. Enabling legal framework has been provided through insertion of section 170A in the Ordinance.
Prompt issuance of exemption certificate
The delay in the issuance of exemption certificate is a major concern of taxpayers. Time limitation of fifteen days shall be observed for issuance of exemption certificate for all corporate taxpayers which was earlier available to public listed companies only. After the lapse of statutory time limit, the web portal would automatically issue exemption certificate to the taxpayers. Necessary changes have been introduced in Section 153 and 159 of the Ordinance. However, commissioner has been empowered to cancel or modify the certificate with reasons in writing.
E-hearing
In order to provide faceless tax administration, reducing compliance cost and saving precious time of the taxpayers, the mechanism of e-hearing has been devised. Enabling legal provisions for admissibility of evidence collected during e-hearing have been introduced through 227E of the Ordinance.
Minimizing requirements for tax compliance
Taxpayers are subject to multiple compliances. Currently they are required to update their profile periodically. This requirement costs time, energy and resources. In order to facilitate taxpayers in line with ease of doing business this requirement has been withdrawn through substitution of section 114A of the Ordinance.
Electronic filing of appeal
The mechanism of online filing of appeals has been made available to taxpayers. However, enabling legal provisions were lacking which have been introduced through section 127 in the Ordinance.
Removal of requirement of multiple notices in concealment cases
It has been provided under law that where notice for amendment of assessment has been issued confronting taxpayer regarding concealment of income, no separate notice under section 111 will be required.
