FBR Sets up Body to Monitor Tax Deposits by Telecom Sector

A committee has been organized by the FBR including representatives from cellular companies, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) and Commissioner Large Taxpayer Unit (LTU) Islamabad to confirm a mechanized system for monitoring of duties and levies deposited by the telecom sector.

FBR Sets up Body to Monitor Tax Deposits by Telecom Sector

Sources revealed that in light of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) commendations, a meeting was held at FBR Headquarters. The meeting was presided by Dr. Muhammad Irshad, Member (IR Operations), FBR.

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Member IR Operations stated that the meeting was actually arranged in compliance of the FTO’s approvals. To deliberate an automated system to monitor the telecom sector. He further added that it was a problem of national significance and must be decided.

The FBR Member (IT) stressed upon the necessity of comprehensive discussion with the telecom sector to discover a viable tender. He proposed that a committee might be established to come up with workable proposals concerning the matter.

A cellular company representative marked that the monitoring of withholding taxes of cellular companies is already being executed at the Cash Receipts basis. Moving it down to the transaction level would not make much subsidy. He further stated that evolving an automated real-time monitoring system involved huge cost and capability enhancement.

Another representative indicated that developing such an automated system would need significant time, effort and monetary resources.

For formulating an automated system for monitoring of telecom sector, it has been decided that a committee shall be instituted within three days. Comprising of CEO PRAL, a Commissioner from LTU, Islamabad and representatives from each mobile company.

The committee shall present its commendations about the issue to the board within three weeks of its composition. Furthermore, Chief Commissioner (CC) IR, LTU, Islamabad would provide nominees of the Commissioner and the representatives of the cellular companies within three days.

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