Raza Kazmi
ISLAMABAD: After awarding license of the Track and Trace System to the successful bidder, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has issued four Sales Tax General Orders for Four specified Sectors Tobacco Sugar cement and Fertiliser under the provisions of Section 40C(2) of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 read with Rule 150ZF of the Sales Tax Rules, 2006.
These laws mandate Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to notify the date for the implementation of Electronic Monitoring of productions and sales of goods in the manner prescribed in the law on all manufacturing sites (unless otherwise provided) of all the notified sectors.
FBR has notified that no Products shall be allowed to be removed from a production site/ factory premises/ manufacturing plant or import station without affixation of tax stamps/ Unique Identification Marking (UIMs) with effect from 1st July, 2021, which are to be obtained/procured from and applied by FBR’s Licensee M/s. AJCL/MITAS/Authentix Consortium.
FBR has directed All manufacturers of specified Products to make necessary arrangements for importation of applicators and other equipment required for successful installation and implementation of Track and Trace System at their production facilities.
Meanwhile, a report from Faisalabad adds that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is making all out efforts to restore taxpayer’s trust by taking several steps including resolution of tax disputes through constitution of Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees (ADRCs), says a Press release.
Responding to the applicants’ grievances on fast-track basis, IR-Operations Wing, FBR, during the period July, 2020 to Feb, 2021, has constituted eighteen (18) Committees, under the sales tax, federal excise & income tax heads. Out of the said ADRCs, fourteen (14) Committees have so far successfully decided the disputes referred to the Board.
FBR has stated that the said mechanism, as part of out of court settlement and revenue mobilization, has been mobilized to enable taxpayers to get their disputes settled in lesser time and without incurring litigation cost.
While explaining, FBR has stated that by virtue of major facilitative change introduced through Finance Act-2020, an applicant, in order to avail ADRC, is not required to withdraw his case pending before any appellate forum. To make the process more transparent and trust-worthy, ADRC is composed of three (03) members including Chief Commissioner-IR from the department’s side and notable Chartered Accountants/Lawyers & Businessmen from the private sector. The committee is also empowered to stay the process of recovery in case of hardship.
Taxpayer’s application has to be finalized by the Committee within a short period of 120 days which in itself is a big relief considering the usual time taken in various appellate fora before a case attains finality.
Meanwhile, a report from Peshawar adds that Model Customs Collectorate, Appraisement & Facilitation, Peshawar has foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of narcotics from Afghanistan. A trailer carrying consignment of sulphur being imported from Afghanistan was searched at Customs Station, Torkham.
Upon scanning and suspicion, the doors of driver cabin were searched which led to recovery of 10.34 kg of white heroine powder packed in 10 packets which was concealed in the inner packing of driver cabin doors. The consignment along with Narcotics has been detained and the driver is arrested for criminal prosecution under relevant laws. The estimated market value of seized heroine is around Rs. 100 million.
