Karachi: Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah (Sitar-e-Imtiaz), the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), has extended an invitation to the business community, urging them to lodge complaints without hesitation to address and resolve tax related problems effectively.
The call was made during a meeting with a delegation from the North Karachi Association of Trade & Industry (NKATI), led by Syed Tariq Rasheed, former chairman of NKATI and the current chairman of the tax committee. The delegation, which included Shaukat Ismail, Toufiq Ahmed, and Shahid Ansari, engaged in discussions with Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah regarding various tax-related challenges faced by the business community.
In the course of his visit to Karachi, the Federal Tax Ombudsman emphasized the importance of businesses reaching out to the Tax Ombudsman’s office to address their tax-related concerns. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah highlighted that businesses could share the details of their tax-related issues with the federal tax ombudsman office and even register their cases online.
He assured the business community that tax-related cases would be given priority and resolved expeditiously within a 60-day timeframe after the hearing. Notably, applicants are not required to engage legal representation, as they can appear before the Tax Ombudsman themselves, facilitating a more accessible and streamlined resolution process.
Syed Tariq Rasheed, expressing appreciation for the initiatives taken by the Federal Tax Ombudsman, acknowledged that there is a lack of awareness among the business community about the role and functions of the Federal Tax Ombudsman. He stressed the need to raise awareness within the business community about the services offered by the Tax Ombudsman and the procedures available to address tax-related issues.
In response to this suggestion, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah proposed organizing an awareness session for members of NKATI. Such a session would serve to educate the business community about the processes involved in resolving tax-related challenges and highlight how the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s office can provide a convenient and effective avenue for redress.
The NKATI delegation expressed agreement with this proposal, recognizing the potential benefits of increased awareness and understanding of the avenues available for resolving tax-related matters. By fostering collaboration and communication between the business community and the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s office, the aim is to create a more conducive environment for addressing tax-related concerns and promoting transparency in the tax administration system.
The Federal Tax Ombudsman’s proactive engagement with the business community underscores the commitment to providing accessible and efficient avenues for conflict resolution in the realm of taxation. The collaborative efforts between the Federal Tax Ombudsman’s office and business representatives contribute to building a more responsive and accountable tax system, ultimately benefiting businesses and fostering a conducive economic environment.
