FTO refunds excess sales tax to car buyers

Urges businessmen to take maximum benefit of ombudsman’s services

ISLAMABAD:

The business community is the backbone of economy and the tax ombudsman is working as an advocate of taxpayers to address their grievances and provide speedy and cost-free justice, remarked Federal Tax Ombudsman Dr Asif Mahmood Jah.

Speaking at a cheques distribution ceremony for sales tax refund to taxpayers in light of the FTO’s decision at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), he said that the FTO’s mission was to deliver justice to the taxpayers at their doorsteps.

An automaker had charged 17% sales tax at the time of booking cars, but in the last budget, the sales tax on vehicles up to 1,000cc engine capacity was reduced to 12.5%.

On the receipt of complaints from the car purchasers, the FTO dug out data and provided refund of 4.5% excess sales tax to 9,500 vehicle buyers.

“FTO will continue to provide more relief to the taxpayers,” Jah said and urged the business community to take maximum benefit of the ombudsman’s services in cases of tax-related grievances.

He nominated Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari as the honorary business adviser of the FTO, who would act as a bridge between the ombudsman and the business community for the facilitation of taxpayers.

Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari praised the FTO for providing speedy justice to the taxpayers by responding to their complaints.

“The refund of excess sales tax to the taxpayers reflects the commitment of the FTO to protecting the interests of taxpayers,” he said.

He assured the ombudsman that the ICCI would work closely with him to address the grievances of taxpayers.

ICCI Senior Vice President Faad Waheed, Vice President Muhammad Azharul Islam Zafar and outgoing president Muhammad Shakeel Munir expressed the belief that close liaison between the ICCI and FTO would provide more relief to the taxpayers.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 4^th, 2022.

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