KARACHI: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has strongly criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for its lack of responsiveness in addressing taxpayers’ concerns.
The business community has been voicing its grievances, yet the FBR has not taken meaningful steps to facilitate traders and industrialists.
In a statement released on Monday, FPCCI President Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo expressed deep disappointment over the FBR’s unwillingness to consider the apex body’s proposal to establish an “FBR Help Desk” at FPCCI House, Karachi. This initiative, according to Maggo, is crucial for providing tax-related assistance and resolving complaints efficiently.
The FPCCI, as the leading national representative of trade, industry, and service sectors, receives numerous complaints and concerns regarding taxation. Businessmen, both individually and through the FPCCI platform, regularly raise issues related to tax facilitation. However, due to poor communication channels with the FBR, these concerns often go unresolved, causing significant distress in the business community.
Maggo emphasized that FPCCI had formally requested the establishment of an FBR Help Desk in a letter addressed to Chairman FBR Muhammad Javed Ghani on January 14, 2021. Despite additional reminder letters sent on January 21 and February 3, 2021, the FBR has yet to respond or take any action on this matter. This lack of engagement has raised serious concerns among business leaders, who question why the FBR continues to delay critical steps that would facilitate traders and address their issues in a timely manner.
The FPCCI president called upon the FBR chairman to act without further delay in setting up the FBR Help Desk at FPCCI House, Karachi. He stressed that implementing this measure would not only help resolve tax-related grievances but also contribute to increased revenue collection by creating a more transparent and supportive tax environment.
By proactively addressing tax concerns, the FPCCI believes that the FBR can restore confidence among businesses and enhance compliance. The establishment of an FBR Help Desk at the FPCCI House would mark a significant step toward bridging the communication gap between the business sector and tax authorities, ensuring a more streamlined and efficient resolution process.