ISLAMABAD: Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue (CCIR) have been assigned special role for redressal of taxpayers’ grievances and attached the task as key performance indicator.
In an official note sent to all Regional Tax Offices (RTOs), the FBR authorized the CCIRs with quasi-official role of Inland Revenue Ombudsman in their respective jurisdictionally assigned territories vis-à-vis their own taxpayers – both existing and potential, and start resolving their grievances on a war footing.
The chief commissioners have been directed to ensure that they were the first point of contact for all existing and potential taxpayers for resolution of their problems and plaints, and ensure that even if a taxpayer has ever to go seeking redressal elsewhere, it is only after he has failed in getting the due relief from the Inland Revenue Ombudsperson at his doorsteps.
“In future, the Chief Commissioner’s role as Inland Revenue Ombudsperson would be a key indicator of his performance, and it would reflect adversely on his efficacy as a tax administrator if the number of complaints emanating from his jurisdiction and lodged elsewhere does not drastically come down over the next few months.”
The FBR further directed the CCIRs that they must widely publicize it in their respective jurisdiction so as to attract and internalize maximum complaints lodged by their taxpayers.
“This significant administrative shift needs to be optimally leveraged to salvage image of the service, restore confidence citizen’s trust in the system, and maximize revenue collection in a wholesome manner,” the FBR said.
