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Tag: sales tax refunds

  • FBR processes refund claims with data errors under FASTER system

    FBR processes refund claims with data errors under FASTER system

    KARACHI: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday said it processed refund claims with data errors under Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund (FASTER) system.

    The FBR urged FASTER Refund claimants to file refund claims in sequence i.e. July 2019 and then August 2019 and so on.

    “Claims with data errors, rolled back and re-submitted claims relating to July 2019 have been processed,” the FBR said.

    Such claims relating to August 2019 are under process which will be followed by September 2019 and onwards claims.

    BCA Data is being sorted and Commercial Exporters Claims shall be processed in the coming week, the FBR added.

    The FBR recently introduced electronic refund processing system to facilitate taxpayers. However, due to glitches in the form submission created difficulties for taxpayers in obtaining refunds.

    The FBR issued a guideline for claiming refund under FASTER System.

    01. Annex-H is a stock statement of input goods / services which shows flow of inputs in terms of quantity, value and sales tax involved in opening / closing balances, purchases and consumption in exports and local sales.

    02. Quantities / values of finished products (exports and local) and output tax on local sales should not be mentioned in Annex-H.

    03 Use Annex H to upload for the month transactions i-e purchase, import and Consumption only, Opening and Closing are derived /calculated automatically.

    Same is applicable for Excel file uploading otherwise objection of duplicate value will arise.

    04. The brought forward and carry forward tax amount in the return should match with opening balance and closing balance tax amount in the Annex-H.

    05. The value of purchases and input tax paid thereon in the return should match with the corresponding figures in columns “purchased / imported during the month” in Annex-H.

    Properly filled Annex-H without objections and anomalies of data will ensure processing in 72 Hours, the FBR said.

  • FBR pays Rs11 billion refunds through FASTER system

    FBR pays Rs11 billion refunds through FASTER system

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has paid sales tax refunds worth Rs11 billion through its newly introduced online system since July 01, 2019.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, the FBR said that it had issued refunds through Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund (FASTER) system without human intervention worth Rs11 billion against claims of Rs15 billion.

    While clarifying a news report, the FBR said that the issue of liquidity problems due to imposition of Sales Tax on previously zero rated sectors was raised in the standing committee.

    The FBR acknowledged the issue and explained that in first 6 months, a total of Rs98 billion refunds have been issued as opposed to Rs31 billion in last year.

    Most of these refunds have been given to exporters including encashment of refund bonds issued last year.

    It was also emphasized that if the government on one hand has brought the export oriented sector under VAT regime, it has heavily facilitated the sectors by providing sizable subsidy on gas and electricity despite a very narrow fiscal space available to it.

    So the perception conveyed by the news item is a bit misleading and the Federal Government and FBR are trying to provide maximum facilitation to businesses in a collaborative and consultative process.

  • Hafeez Shaikh directs FBR to simplify Form-H within a week, expedite sales tax refund payment

    Hafeez Shaikh directs FBR to simplify Form-H within a week, expedite sales tax refund payment

    ISLAMABAD: Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue, on Tuesday directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to simplify form-H within a week and expedite payment of sales tax refunds.

    He gave the instruction during a meeting with the office-bearers and members of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

    Adviser to the Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms & Austerity Dr Ishrat Hussain, Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Abdul Razak Dawood, Chairman Task Force on Textile Ali Habib, Chairman FBR Syed Shabbar Zaidi, former finance minister Shaukat Tareen and Secretary Finance Naveed Kamran Baloch were also present among others.

    Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh told the exporters that the government was not at all interested in keeping their money held up for any length of time and the government was willing to listen to and accommodate any solution or recommendations from the exporters to simplify the H-Form and ensure a prompt payment of sales tax refunds to them.

    He also directed the FBR to expedite the payment of nearly Rs 10 billion worth of customs duty drawback to the exporters.

    FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi told the meeting that FBR had so far received claims for sales tax refunds to the tune of Rs 10.14 billion pertaining to the period from July to October 2019 and cases amounting to Rs 8.02 billion had already been processed for payment out of which 1604 cases has been accepted for payment which would be made at the earliest.

    Earlier, the APTMA leaders and members told the Adviser they were happy and satisfied with the documentation drive of the government and wanted to process their claims for sales tax refunds through the newly-introduced Form-H.

    They said they had formulated their recommendations to further simplify the Form-H in view of certain problems being faced by them in filling out the form.

  • FBR criticized for delaying sales tax refunds under FASTER module

    FBR criticized for delaying sales tax refunds under FASTER module

    KARACHI: Business community has criticized Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for delaying release of sales tax refunds under newly launched Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refunds (FASTER) module.

    Suleman Chawla, President of SITE Association of Industry, while expressing deep concerns over the poor performance of the recently launched Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refunds (FASTER) module, stated on Friday that FBR claimed of processing payments of Sales Tax Refunds within 72 hours through FASTER module but the ground reality was totally contrary to this claim as many exporters have not received anything.

    He pointed out that many exporters have not received outstanding refunds for July 2019 which was really worrisome and too disappointing for the Business and Industrial Community as the FASTER module was launched with a commitment to release refunds within 72 hours but it was not happening at all, which has intensified the hardships for exporters who are finding it almost impossible to stay afloat due to delays in release of refund claims and rescission of SRO 1125(I)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, which allowed zero-rating of inputs of five export-oriented sectors.

    “It was a matter of grave concern that a system titled FASTER for processing refund claims within 72 hours, has actually made the entire process too messy and cumbersome while the FBR officers in Islamabad were also totally unaware and confused because of the so-called FASTER system hence, it should be remained as SLOWER”, he criticized.

    President SAI said that it has been a month since the first tranche was processed via FASTER module but many exporters have not received funds, creating severe liquidity crunch for the exporters from five export-oriented industries which clearly indicates that FASTER system has failed miserably to improve the situation in fact it has made the refunds process more cumbersome and slower.

    He was fairly optimistic that keeping in view the government’s resolve towards ensuring the Ease of Doing Business, the decision makers would pay attention to this serious issue and order the concerned department to improve FASTER’s performance which would certainly be warmly welcomed by business community of Karachi but also by all other stakeholders from across the country.

    He appealed to the Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Chairman, FBR to personally intervene for immediate release of pending claims so that exporters could meet their export contracts.

  • FPCCI recommends dedicated accounts to stop fraud in sales tax refunds

    FPCCI recommends dedicated accounts to stop fraud in sales tax refunds

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has recommended dedicated accounts for prevent fraud in sales tax refunds.

    Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President, FPCCI while commenting on SRO 981(I)/2019 of dated August 07, 2019 with special reference to Chapter V-A said that there is need of dedicated Head of Accounts sector-wise for creating transparency.

    He further stated though Rs22 Billion have been released to exporters against RPOs issued as of August 31, 2019 but new RPOs have been stopped which creating shortage of liquidity crunch.

    The new refund system promised to issue refund within 72 hours still not implemented under new rules that have some lacunas.

    The new refund rules which are not very clear and has many lacunas and refunds promised to exporters within 72 Hours still not implemented.

    The exporters are confused as the new system does not release pending refunds since 2008.

    The new system is full of Errors and the Exporters are facing lot of issues and they cannot file the returns of Refunds.

    Unless the new system is perfectly tested it should not be applied.

    FBR has already collected approximately Rs.48 Billion (on the basis of last year data as current year data still not available) for textile exporters. In the month of July nothing has been refunded.

    The exporters should be informed how much amount of Sales Tax refund is outstanding as of August 31, 2019.

    Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai urged FBR to take remedial measure immediately to solve exporters problems.

  • FBR clears Rs15.6 billion sales tax refunds in 8,415 RPOs: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    FBR clears Rs15.6 billion sales tax refunds in 8,415 RPOs: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has cleared Rs 15.6 billion in sales tax refunds against 8,415 refund payment orders (RPOs), marking a significant move to enhance business liquidity and stimulate economic activity in the country.

    (more…)
  • FBR issues first batch of e-refund

    FBR issues first batch of e-refund

    ISLAMABAD: The first payment through Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund (FASTER) module, against the refund claims for the tax period July, 2019, has been made on Monday September 02, 2019, and the State Bank of Pakistan has confirmed the credit of the refund amount in the bank account of the claimant, said a press release issued by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

    It is highlighted that only nine refund claims of five exporter-oriented sectors were received by Friday, the 30th August, 2019, and the payment has been made against the claim that was cleared by the risk management system of FASTER module.

    It is added that the number of refund claims received is not significant. FBR encourages the exporters to submit their claims in form Annex-H at the earliest so that their claims can be processed and paid.

    In consequence of rescission of SRO 1125(I)/2011 dated 31.12.2011, which allowed zero-rating of inputs of five export-oriented sectors, Federal Board of Revenue had committed with the exporters of the said sectors, i.e. textiles, leather, carpets, sports goods and surgical goods, that refunds shall be paid to them within 72 hours of filing of refund claim.

    FBR has earlier clarified that submission of Annex-H, which is a form in the monthly sales tax return, shall be treated as submission of refund claim.

    For this purpose, FBR has developed a new IT module known as FASTER (Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund) and the same has been operationalized.

    This module shall process claims of exporters of five export-oriented sectors for the tax period July, 2019, and onwards.

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    Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

  • Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    Govt. decides immediate release of Rs22 billion tax refunds: Dr. Hafeez Shaikh

    ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to released tax refunds amounting Rs22 billion immediately for the promotion of economic activities, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to Prime Minister on Finance said in a twitter message on Monday.

    According to him the government had taken important decision on tax refunds for the promotion of economic activities in the country and to provide liquidity support to businesses.

    He said that it was decided to issue Rs22 billion of verified sales tax refunds for all years to be released immediately.

    Further, Rs1.7 billion of income tax returns (up to Rs100,000) for all years to be released immediately.

    The verification process for other outstanding refunds to be expedited, he said.

    He also announced that income tax refunds between Rs1 billion to Rs5 billion for all years will be paid next month.

  • FPCCI demands immediate release of export refunds, duty drawbacks

    FPCCI demands immediate release of export refunds, duty drawbacks

    KARACHI: Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has demanded the government of issuing all outstanding export refunds, rebates and duty drawbacks.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Engr. Daroo Khan Achakzai, President, FPCCI urged the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to fulfil his commitments made, from time to time, particularly in the Finance Act, 2019 and release export sectors’ all accumulated refund claims including deferred Claims ; Customs Duty Drawback ; DLTL etc., lying pending for payment since long for facilitating and enabling environment to the exporters to overcome their liquidity crunch, meet their export orders well in time; enhance exports and reduce trade deficit so that the export targets as envisaged in the Finance Act, 2019 are met.

    Referring to the Finance Act, 2019 the FPCCI Chief recalled that although a provision had been introduced wherein promissory notes would be issued to the Claimants at their option by a newly formed company called the FBR Refund Settlement Company Ltd., but there is a very slow progress in processing of the pending Sales Tax refunds and issuance of RPOs.

    The FPCCI Chief appreciated Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue and FBR for initiating Expeditious Refund System (ERS) for automated payment on generated Refund Payment Orders (RPOs) in the wake of withdrawal of zero-rating on Sales Tax inputs for five export oriented industrial sectors and also appreciated for providing Sales Tax refunds for manufacturing of five export-oriented sector, within 72 hours through Risk Management (RMS), however, lamented for the delay in implementation of these system.

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  • Procedure issued to sanction sales tax refund claims of importers

    Procedure issued to sanction sales tax refund claims of importers

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued procedure for sanctioning refund claims on sales tax collected against imported goods.

    The FBR issued SRO 918(I)/2019 on Thursday to amend Sales Tax Rules, 2006.

    A new rule 34A is inserted related to sanction of refund claims of import-related sales tax by the collectorates of customs.

    The FBR said that sales tax refund filed by an importer for import-related sales tax paid in excess due to inadvertence, error or misconception, or as result of a competent adjudication or appellate authority, claimed within the period as prescribed under section 66 of the Act, may be decided and allowed by the concerned officer of Customs, not below the rank of an Assistant Collector subject to sub-rules (2) and (3) below.

    (2) In the case of registered person while applying for refund to the concerned Customs Collectorate, the applicant must endorse a copy of the refund application to the Refund Division of the concerned RTO or LTU. The concerned Collectorate of Customs shall not process the claim unless a confirmation from suchInland Revenue office, that no adjustment or payment of the amount claimed in refund has been made, has been received.

    The concerned RTO or LTU on receipt of a reference from Collectorate of Customs shallcommunicate such confirmation, or otherwise, within thirty days of receipt of the reference.

    (3) In case of an unregistered importer, the refund shall be processed by the concerned Customs Collectoratewithout prior reference to RTO or LTU.

    (4) The sales tax refund files after issuance of refund payment order by the relevant Customs officer shall be sent through proper channel, in the case of registered person to the RTO or LTU concerned, and in the case of unregistered person to the nearest RTO where the customs station is located. The refund sanctioning authority of the Customs Collectorate shall mention the number and date, etc. of RTO’s or LTU’s confirmation of regarding non-adjustment of tax involved or non-payment of refund, if applicable, in his sanction order.

    (5) On receipt of such sanction order from Customs Collectorate by the concerned officer-in-charge in RTO or LTU, he shall make the entry of the sanction order in the Computerized System, and after obtaining permission of the Commissioner concerned, generate RPO of the sanctioned amount for electronic transmission to CSTRO. The amount of such sales tax refund shall be debited from the head of sales tax (on imports).