Islamabad: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has launched a major initiative to facilitate taxpayers in filing their annual income tax returns, offering free-of-cost services to the public. The newly established Facilitation Desk at the FTO headquarters has already seen a significant number of taxpayers, including individuals and salaried employees, taking advantage of the service.
This initiative comes as a relief for many taxpayers who previously had to rely on costly tax advisors to file their returns. With the help of FTO, taxpayers can now submit their income tax returns swiftly and without any financial burden. Many individuals have expressed their appreciation for the effort, noting that this initiative saves them substantial fees while ensuring compliance with tax regulations.
The Federal Tax Ombudsman, in collaboration with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), has implemented this program just in time for the extended tax return filing deadline, which has been pushed to October 14th. The Facilitation Desk, located at the FTO Secretariat in Islamabad, has been set up to assist taxpayers in overcoming hurdles related to the filing process, including issues with password retrieval and technical challenges on the FBR’s online portal.
Trained FBR officials have been assigned to the desk to provide hands-on support to those struggling to file their returns. This direct assistance is only available in person at the FTO headquarters, as the office has clarified that no guidance will be given over phone calls. The FTO office emphasized that this in-person service ensures more accurate and efficient handling of taxpayer queries.
The office has also highlighted the growing number of individuals benefiting from the service, noting that the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Taxpayers, particularly from the salaried class, have commended the FTO’s efforts to simplify the tax filing process and eliminate the need for costly middlemen.
This move reflects the FTO’s broader commitment to resolving tax-related issues and ensuring that taxpayers can meet their obligations without facing unnecessary financial strain or procedural difficulties. As the filing deadline approaches, the FTO continues to encourage individuals to visit their Facilitation Desk and take advantage of this valuable service.
The office remains dedicated to assisting taxpayers and plans to expand its support measures in the future, further reinforcing its mission of alleviating taxpayer grievances.