LAHORE - The so-called intelligent and efficient Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials are still making experiments regarding online procedure of monthly filing of tax returns, especially withholding sales tax return, despite one quarter of the new tax year 2015-16 has almost concluded, much to the worry of taxpayers.
Instead of simplifying the already-difficult tax procedures and online filing of returns, the FBR officials are making these much more difficult for the taxpayers. The Board has added a new column of description in the sales tax return format, without educating those who contribute to the national exchequer by paying taxes.
A large number of taxpayers have told that in the July 2015 withholding sales tax return, the descriptions for PC as well as cotton fabric and PC as well as cotton yarn have automatically changed after they were submitted by them. Some told that the descriptions in their returns have changed to soaps, waxes, scouring, productions, candles, modeling, pastes and dental waxes while others to labour and manpower service.
They said that now they cannot be corrected without prior permission from the commissioner, which is a very lengthy process and even impossible. If they are not rectified, they will face CREST and even National Tax Number is suspended as a penalty.
Every taxpayer has reported this problem. They maintained that this is not their fault but they fear they will be punished for the mistake of the Board officials.
The FBR functionaries are reportedly still making experiments as in the August 2015 withholding sales tax return, descriptions once again have been changed by them. The officials do not leave any stone unturned to add to the woes of the taxpayers.
They said that they wanted to higher authorities, including the prime minister, finance minister and the FBR chairman to take notice of this issue and be granted permission to revise their returns.
They backed documentation of the economy as well as widening of the tax net but they opined that first the tax system should be simplified and the Board be purged of  the black sheep who even exploit genuine taxpayers. They alleged that they face exploitation at the hands of the corrupt Board officials.
They anti-corruption, anti-land mafia and anti-criminals drive launched by the present PML-N government should be continued ruthlessly and taken to its logical end, they said.
They further said that the corrupt should not be spared and every penny of the looted national wealth be recovered from them. They said that the history shows that when the plunderers are arrested and face trials, they usually go for a plea bargain which should not be allowed.
All plundered national wealth be taken back, and whoever they may be there should be no agreement with them.