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Articles
06
Sep

Amnesty galore in Pakistan

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari “Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says, ‘Do it illegally, it will be cheaper and easier”—Marco Rubio, American senator from Florida Governments make laws and rules to conduct the affairs of management so as to facilitate the public and for smooth functioning of administration. Rules are meant to be...
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06
Sep

Amnesty galore in Pakistan

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari “Amnesty is the forgiveness of something. Amnesty is anything that says, ‘Do it illegally, it will be cheaper and easier”—Marco Rubio, American senator from Florida Governments make laws and rules to conduct the affairs of management so as to facilitate the public and for smooth functioning of administration. Rules are meant to be...
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06
Sep

Critique of tax policy  

September 6, 2023
Dr. Ikramul Haq Fiscal consolidation should be as growth-friendly as possible. In general, tax base-broadening reforms are identified as growth-oriented reforms. To the extent that they reduce distortions to economic decisions on work, saving, investment and consumption, they should increase output and improve social welfare—Choosing a Broad Base–Low Rate Approach to Taxation, OECD Tax Policy...
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06
Sep

PTI: forgotten promises

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq People of Pakistan in general and businessmen in particular are quite disillusioned with the performance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) after seeing that prices of items of daily use (food, medicines, petrol, utilities) have skyrocketed in just a few months and business activities have been substantially slowed down leading to...
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06
Sep

Reforms we need

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq In Pakistan, ironically, the less-privileged are subjected to oppressive taxation to finance the luxuries of elites who enjoy extraordinary tax-free perks and perquisites, unprecedented benefits like expensive cars, golf clubs, rest houses and awards of free or concessional plots at prime locations. The way the elites waste and plunder...
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06
Sep

PTI’s amnesty: another U-turn!   

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari & Dr. Ikramul Haq Pakistan is a unique country where the governments—military and civilian alike—have been frequently introducing amnesty schemes allowing whitening of untaxed/undeclared assets. Historically, both the Legislature and Executive have always shown keenness in appeasing the tax evaders through frequent and generous amnesties and obnoxious laws like section 5 read with...
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06
Sep

  Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights The strict implementation of constitutional guarantee of treatment and protection in accordance with law. The strict implementation of constitutional guarantee that no tax will be levied except as provided under Article 77 of the Constitution of Pakistan and delegation of taxing powers to Federal Government and the Federal Board of Revenue being violative of Article 162 will not be provided and wherever available are to be withdrawn at once. The implementation of constitutional right of protection of life and property as State’s prerogative to levy and collect taxes is conditional to performance of this duty. The guarantee through a law passed by the parliament that taxes collected would be utilized in a transparent manner and would not be subject to unpitying waste and plundering by the rulers. The right to have protection from higher/unjust/unreasonable taxes without voters’ approval. The guarantee from the government through a law passed by the parliament of restricting state expenditure of revenue above and beyond inflation and population growth. The guarantee of earmarking of revenue through a parliamentary process for employment generation and socio-economic development of the society as a whole. The right to fair and consistent application of the tax laws of the state by the Department of Revenue. The right to pay only the amount of tax due under the law and to have the law applied as consistently and equitably as possible. The right of protection from abuse and excessive use of discretionary powers available to Tax Officials under tax codes. Such discretionary powers should be structured through open plans, open policy statements, open rules, open findings, open reasons, open precedents and fair formal procedure.” The right to be trusted and treated as honest law abiding persons unless proved otherwise. The right to be protected against perverse, arbitrary or unreasonable, unjust, biased, oppressive and discriminatory decisions, recommendations processes, acts of omission and commission of the Tax Officials. The right to be protected against practices of tax collector involving the exercise of powers, or the failure or refusal to do so, for corrupt or improper motives, such as bribery, jobbery, favouritism, nepotism and administrative excesses. The right to be saved from neglect, inattention, delay, incompetence, inefficiency and ineptitude, in the administration or discharge of duties and responsibilities by tax collectors. The right to be saved from harassment through repeated notices, unnecessary attendances or prolonged hearings while deciding cases involving: – a)                  assessment of personal taxes; b)                  determination of liability of any tax or duty; c)                  classification or valuation of goods; d)                  settlement of claims of refund, rebate or duty drawback; or e)                  determination of fiscal and tax concessions or exemptions; The right to seek assistance from the Tax Collector who should act as facilitator and not as Tax grabber. His office should be a walk in clinic especially for the old taxpayer, low income taxpayer or senior citizens who can not afford services of the consultant. The right to obtain information and prompt, accurate responses to questions and request for tax assistance. The right to request assistance from an expert of the department, who shall be responsible for facilitating the resolution of taxpayer complaints and problems not resolved through the normal administrative channels within the department, including any taxpayer complaints regarding unsatisfactory treatment by department employees.  The expert must issue a stay order if a taxpayer has suffered or is about to suffer irreparable loss as a result of an action by the department. The right to have proper service of notices of any kind and application of all possible modes of service before passing exparte order/ assessment. The right to have prompt refund of additional duty, return of Bank Guarantee or security in the cases of provisional assessments of duty where final assessment is not completed within the period specify under the law. The right to be represented or advised by counsel or other qualified representative at any time in administrative interactions with the department. The right to procedural safeguards with respect to recording of interviews during tax determination or collection processes conducted by the department. The right to be treated in a judicious manner by department personnel. The right to have audits, inspections of records, and interviews conducted at a reasonable time and place except in criminal and internal investigations. The right to freedom from penalty attributable to any taxes administered by the Department of Revenue; and to abatement of interest attributable to any taxes administered by the Department of Revenue, when taxpayer reasonably relies upon binding written advice furnished to the taxpayer by the department through authorized representatives in response to the taxpayer’s specific written request which provided adequate and accurate information. The right to obtain simple, non-technical statements which explains the reason for audit selection and the procedures, remedies, and rights available during audit, appeals, and collection proceedings, including, but not limited to, the rights pursuant to this Taxpayer’s bill of rights and the right to be provided with a narrative description which explains the basis of audit changes, proposed assessments, assessment, and denials of refunds; identifies any amount of tax, interest, or penalty due; and states the consequences of the taxpayer’s failure to comply with notice. The right to be informed of impending collection actions which require sale or seizure of property or freezing of assets, except jeopardy assessments, and the right to      at least 30 days’ notice in which to pay the liability or seek further review. The right to have all other collection actions attempted before a jeopardy assessment unless delay will endanger collection and, after a jeopardy assessment, the right to have an immediate review of the jeopardy assessment. The right to seek review, through formal or informal proceedings, of any adverse decisions relating to determinations in the audit or collections processes and the right to seek a reasonable administrative stay of enforcement actions while the taxpayer pursues other administrative remedies available under tax law. The right of access to his tax information/record kept confidential unless otherwise specified by law. The right to procedures for retirement of tax obligations by installment payment agreements which recognize both the taxpayer’s financial condition and the best interests of the state, provided that the taxpayer gives accurate, current information and meets all other tax obligations on schedule. The right to procedures for requesting cancellation, release, or modification of liens filed by the department and for requesting that any lien which is filed in error be so noted on the lien cancellation filed by the department, in public notice, and in notice to any credit agency at the taxpayer’s request. The right to procedures which assure that the individual employees of the department are not paid, evaluated, or promoted on the basis of the amount of assessments or collections from taxpayers. The right to an action at law within the limitations to recover pecuniary damages against the state or the Department of Revenue for injury caused by the wrongful or negligent act or omission of a department officer or employee. The right to settle claims through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The right to have the department begins and completes its audits in a timely and expeditious manner after notification of intent to audit. The selection of case for audit should conform to the provisions of section 24A of General Clauses Act of 1897. The right to have the department actively investigates and, where appropriate, implement automated or electric business methods that enable the department to more efficiently and effectively administer the revenue sources of the state taxpayers. The right of waiver of interest that accrues as the result of errors or delays caused by a department employee. The right of free educational activities/services to be arranged by the State helping the taxpayer for satisfactory/succesful compliance of the revenue laws. The right to pay a reasonable fine or percentage of tax, whichever is less, to reinstate an exemption from any tax which a taxpayer would have been entitled or received but which was lost because the taxpayer failed to properly register as a tax dealer or obtain the necessary certificates entitling the taxpayer to the exemption. The right to be treated courteously and professionally by Department employees and to be answered as promptly as available resources permit. The right to receive a simple, non-technical explanation rights and the Department’s obligations in all proceedings and activities involving taxpayers. The right to have personal and financial information kept confidential and to know why the Department is asking for information, how that information will be used, and what might happen if it is not provided.  The Department may share information with certain federal, state, and local government agencies under strict legal guidelines. The right to obtain basic information concerning the basis for and amount of any tax, interest, and penalties owed or refunded when sent a tax due, deficiency, or refund notice. The right to obtain information about tax exemptions for which a taxpayer legally qualifies.  The Department will make every effort to inform those eligible for such exemptions. The right to have penalties abated for under payment of tax due to erroneous Department advice in written response to a specific written inquiry, provided that the taxpayer gives the Department complete and accurate information. The right to enter into installment agreements in case of hardship at the Department’s discretion in order to facilitate collection of payments due.  The Department may require financial statements prior to and during the administration of such agreements and may cancel such agreements in the event of default or change in the taxpayer’s financial condition. The right to online and telephone assistance through a website and tool-free telephone net work, responsive to answer any query by a taxpayer. The right to have honest, competent, efficient, well behaved and trust worthy tax officials. The unfettered right of appeal or review through an independent judicial tax appellate system and guarantee of disposal of appeal and revision within six months from the date of filing such appeal or revision as the case may be.  

September 6, 2023
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06
Sep

Policies for growth & employment

September 6, 2023
Dr. Ikramul Haq The main focus of a rational tax policy should be on incentivising investment and productivity, encouraging savings and facilitating capital formation in the private sector for job creations, innovations and rapid economic development. Our policymakers have miserably failed to achieve these goals—for them taxation means raising money and nothing else. Overemphasis on...
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06
Sep

On being alone or lonely

September 6, 2023
Huzaima Bukhari “If you are lonely when you’re alone, you are in bad company”— Jean Paul Sartre   We come to this world alone and are left alone after we pass away but throughout the period in between we yearn for the company of other human beings otherwise many tend to lose their sanity. We want...
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06
Sep

Banking secrecy v benami law

September 6, 2023
Dr. Ikramul Haq The Finance Minister of Pakistan, while addressing a gathering of State Bank of Pakistan on April 1, 2019, asked banks to share data with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for effective implementation of Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 2017. The Government of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) recently promulgated long-awaited Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Rules, 2019 to start...
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