ISLAMABAD (April 06 2005): Central Board of Revenue Chairman Abdullah Yousuf has said that the tax machinery should not block sales tax refund or intensify 'advance tax' collection at import stage for meeting the ambitious Rs 50 billion monthly target of April and May and Rs 90 billion in June 2005. On Tuesday, he directed all collectors of customs, sales tax and central excise, and regional commissioners of income tax (RCITs) and commissioners, appeals, that the taxpayers should not be harassed for achieving the revenue targets in the remaining months of current financial year.
The CBR has so far collected Rs 400 billion in July-March (2004-05). According to break-up of the remaining amount, the CBR has to collect Rs 50 billion in April and May 2005 and Rs 90 billion in June. Last year, the CBR had collected Rs 43.8 billion in April and Rs 43 billion in May.
Abdullah said that special efforts should be made by sales tax and income tax officials for meeting the target. “Customs side is doing well, but they should also take steps for enhancing the collection,” he added.
He said that the tax officials have the authority to take a number of legal steps to meet the revenue targets. First, they can pursue cases under litigation involving substantial amounts. Secondly, the income tax officials should clear the cases of pending assessments for this purpose. Thirdly, tax officials should pay special emphasis on recovery of arrears and auction of confiscated goods.
