IDEA:-

This novel idea of arranging the Mobile Tax Help Unit to provide the facilities to the Taxpayers, right at their door steps by reaching at their Organizations, was introduced for the first time by RTO, Karachi, on the instructions of Member, Direct Taxes, Federal Board of Revenue, Mr. Irfan Nadeem and Director General, Regional Tax Office, Karachi, Mr. Asrar Rauf. The campaign was run on Karachi level, under the Supervision of Dr. Manzoor Ahmed Memon, Additional Commissioner of Income Tax.

STRATEGY:-

For this purpose two A.P.V. Mobile Vans with computers fitted therein, and Logo of “FBR” and “RTO, Karachi Mobile Tax Help Unit”, painted thereupon, were used.

Two teams, each headed by an Income Tax Officer, an Inspector in Uniform, a KPO and a Driver in Uniform visited different Major Hospital, Major Educational Institutions,all major Banks, Government Organizations including City District Government Karachi, Building Control Authority, High Court, Sindh Secretariat, Central Police Office, State Bank, K.E.S.C., Pakistan Steel Mills, A.G.Sindh, A.G.P.R. etc. on daily basis and held meetings with Chief Financial Officers/Directors HRM/Secretaries/Doctors/Professors/Employees/Faculty Members etc. These meetings were attended by a number of taxable employees/doctos/professors also.

PURPOSE:-

To provide them following material and facility at door steps:-

      a.  Proforma for return of Income.    

                 b.  Proforma for applications for allotment of N.T.N.

                c.  Proforma for Wealth Statement.

              d.  Proforma for Tax Amnesty Scheme.

              e.  Tax Payment Challans.

              f.   Different pamphlets containing guidance material.

              g.  Any other guidance sought by the organization at the time of meeting/conference  

                   and  thereafter.

ACHIEVEMENTS:-

1. The two teams started their visits w.e.f. 18.09.2008, and continued upto 30.09.2008. After Eid Holidays the teams have again started their assignment from 08.10.2008 and continued till 31.10.2008.

2. Till 31.10.2008, 112 Organizations have been visited and all facilities as mentioned above have been provided.

3. Lists containing Taxable Government Employees/Doctors/Specialist/Faculty Members/Professors have been obtained and forwarded regularly to Withholding Division. Lists containing 53432, such taxpayers have been obtained of which apparently 31914 have noN.T.N. Those having shown C.N.I.Cs. are being allotted N.T.Ns. on that basis. From other taxpayers, N.T.N. applications have been obtained and these are being taken on N.T.N. and such Certificates are being issued within 48 hours.

4. The campaign has achieved its purpose of providing facilities and imparting awareness in a befitting manner and has been immensely appreciated by many Organizations.

EXPERIENCE & SUGGESTIONS:-

1. It was frequently asked by the taxpayers from professional filed i.e. doctors, educationists and by the salaried persons of the Bank/big organizations like S.S.G.C./Steel Mills/K.E.S.C etc.that they may be provided N.T.N. Card, instead of N.T.N. Certificate, so that they can keep it always with them like C.N.I.C.

2. It was also asked by these tax payers that what kind of facility, they will get after getting National Tax Number.

3. It was also requested that N.T.N. applications may be forwarded through e-portal and they could get the certificate by applying through e-portal line of F.B.R.

4. However, the facilities provided to them were very much appreciated and Government Institutions were also asked to issue a general circular to their Department that all taxable employees/officers should get thin N.T.N. within one week and communicate it to Income Tax Department through the undersigned and also keep it in their own record.

5. It was also suggested that in future C.N.I.C. should bear National Tax Number also and a Coordination Cell may be established between Income Tax Department and Nadra to implement the proposal.

6. It was also suggested that an all time media campaign should be continued throughout the year to educate the people.

SUGGESTIONS:-

1.   I would request and recommend that N.T.N. CARD Scheme should be revived, as it has a great psychological impact on taxpayer and it is easy for the taxpayer to keep the card with him all the time. The proposal needs immediate implementation and serious thinking on it.

2. It is further suggested that for the N.T.N. holders separate counters may be opened by state owned organizations, where there is a great rush such as, Passport office, Nadra, Post Office, Railway Booking Office, PIA, , Motor Vehicle Registration/Driving License Office, Water Charges/Payment Offices/Electricity Bill Payment Offices and New Connection Providing Offices of all the utility bills.

This would facilitate the people and would create a culture, wherein people will be inclined voluntarily to get them registered with Income Tax Department.

3.   In this connection, a certain amount of discount/concession was also demanded, which can also be considered depending upon the amount of tax paid during the running year for example, if a person has paid the tax amounting to Rs.10,000/- during the running year, and produces a proof for that he may be allowed to get 2% discount in all from government levies, as mentioned above.

4.   A continuous campaign through media may be run throughout the year to educate the people and create a tax culture in the masses and to convince the people to contribute for their country.

5.   Regular meetings between different sections of population including existing tax payers and potential sectors may be held in all big cities and towns and progress may be communicated regularly to F.B.R.

6. The business sector may also be touched for providing them such facility at their door steps by providing them knowledge, hard copies of returns, N.T.N. applications, wealth statements, tax amnesty form etc. and to convince them to pay their due taxes and declare their true income.