LAHORE: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has postponed the hearing of a case filed by a Proprietor Sabir Timber Market against the Regional Tax Office-II (RTO-II) Lahore until the next date.
FTO Consultant Tariq Yousaf heard the case of Sabir Hussain, Proprietor Sabir Timber Market, in which counsel for the appellant argued that the RTO has not released the refund to the appellant for the last three years.
He said the RTO has been collecting excessive taxes from the company for the last three years. The company approached the officer concerned many times for release of the refunds but the department did not entertain his request, even after the passage of a reasonable time.
Finally, the appellant decided to approach the FTO seeking intervention in this case. The counsel appealed to the FTO to order the RTO-II to clear the refund claims.
The counsel further said the delay in the release of refunds puts the burden on the taxpayer, adding that the RTO should audit the case and release the extra amount collected from the taxpayer.
On the other hand, counsel for RTO argued that the appellant has not submitted all the record to the office on which basis it is claiming for refunds. If appellant provides the accurate record, the RTO will release refunds after a proper assessment, he added.
After hearing the arguments from both sides, consultant Tariq Yousaf postponed the case until next date for further hearing and ordered the parties to appear on the said date to present arguments in the case.