RAWALPINDI: Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, RTO, Rawalpindi has assured a visiting delegation of  Rawalpindi Islamabad Tax Bar Association (RITBA) that honest tax payers would not be harassed while tax evaders would not be spared.

“While the focus has been to increase the tax base and revenue collections through various measures there is a need to bridge the trust gap between tax administration and the taxpayer,” said Dr. Basheerullah Khan, Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, RTO, Rawalpindi.

He was talking to a delegation of Rawalpindi Islamabad Tax Bar Association (RITBA) led by its President Syed Tauqeer Bukhari. Chairman Bar and Bench Committee Syed Tanseer Bukhari, SVP Faraz Fazal Sheikh, JS Sofia Akhtar, Finance Secretary Safeer Ahmed, Shaukat Hayat Baloch, Hassan Raza Baloch and Syed Abbas Bukhari, were also present in the meeting.

Dr. Basheerullah Khan assured all cooperation to the taxpayers and asked for proposals to improve working and mitigate problems being faced by taxpayers and tax consultants.

“Improved monitoring, using technology and closer collaboration between tax authorities around the world is helping FBR tighten the noose on tax evaders,” he said adding that non-filers and tax cheats would be dealt according to the law and no relaxation will be given to them.

“November 30, 2018 is the last date for filing returns and those who missed the opportunity would remain non-filers until next year”.

President RITBA Syed Tauqeer Bukhari said that more countries were introducing voluntary disclosure programmes, which are going down well as hiding money is getting riskier. ”So far the voluntary disclosure programmes have brought in around $90 billion globally which is set to increase,” he informed.

RITBA President demanded of the government to draw up a new plan to reward honest taxpayers to motivate taxpayers and improve compliance and asked for an improved procedure for tax assessment.

Tax consultants demanded that existing taxpayers should not be squeezed but the tax base should be broadened for which free counters should be established at various points.