The government is preparing to introduce a Presidential Ordinance aimed at streamlining the resolution process for over 27,000 tax-related cases currently pending at the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) level nationwide.
Drafting of the Ordinance is in progress to address the backlog of significant cases in courts, worth billions of rupees.
A majority of these cases are held up at the initial stage of Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals). By enabling the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to handle litigation at this level, the number of pending cases is expected to decrease substantially in the future.
Currently, taxpayers have two forums before resorting to the high court. With the elimination of the Commissioner appeals forum, only the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) will remain as the fact-finding entity, thereby expediting case disposal timelines.
The ATIR will be mandated to adjudicate appeals within a specified timeframe, ensuring timely resolution, according to sources.
Furthermore, the proposed ordinance will abolish the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) position, transferring cases to tribunals with defined deadlines for resolution. The government is expected to set clear timeframes for expeditiously resolving pending appeals cases, sources stated. For the latest Real Estate News and Blogs, visit Realtorspk blogs.
