ISLAMABAD: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has taken notice of tax evasion of Rs933 million at Faisalabad Dry Port and directed Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to investigate the matter and submit a detailed report, it is learnt here.
According to official sources, Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) had received reports that during years 2011 to 2013, around 1,188 numbers of containers of old and used machinery were cleared at Faisalabad Dry Port while Rs933 millions of taxes were evaded during that specific time period.
According to received report, Rs0.7 million of taxes were evaded per container loaded with used/old imported machinery. The estimated taxes were not collected from these containers during clearance, and due to involvement of some customs officials less amount of taxes was collected which caused loss to national exchequer.
Sources added that FTO has asked FBR to investigate the issue of tax evasion especially at Faisalabad Dry Port; however, it can be investigated at all the dry ports. While the FTO also asked to submit detailed report that how much taxes were evaded in the term of mis-declaration and also investigate the responsible officials who are involved in this loss to national exchequer.