FBR delaying payments to exporters despite issuance of cheques

Lahore: President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA) and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Monday said FBR has been delaying cheques to exporters despite issuance of Refund Payment Orders (RPOs) which is injustice.

Business community is already reeling under many problems therefore it should not be made to pay for low tax collections and budget deficit which is not their fault, he said.

Talking to a delegation of exporters, he said that delay of nine months on the part of FBR in releasing refunds has compromised ability of many exporters to get new orders, some have simply become uncompetitive while a good number have no option but to find financing on high interest rates to fulfil their commitments.

FBR should issue cheques within one week on issuing RPOs but it has not been observed since September last year which is not only disappointing but amounts to hurting exports.

Mian Zahid Hussain also indicated the software used by the tax authorities which has reduced efficiency of the already sluggish system but raising wrong objections which are based on wrong data entry by clerks.

Business community has to brave all the mistakes of FBR which needs to evolve a mechanism for the distinction between good and bad taxpayers.

He said that FBR should have such a database for clean taxpayers who should enjoy swift processing as a reward for their honesty.

The veteran business leader said that government always seek payment of taxes and duties well in time but delay refunds, adding that taxpayers should undergo only one audit as multiple audits increases cost of doing business.

He said that postponing refunds for long time triggers disappointment in business community and hurt business environment besides hurting relations with the government therefore this practice should be abolished.