The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) disposed of 40,058 appeals from the business community in the tax year 2022 compared to 22,095 appeals cleared during the tax year 2019, showing a growth of 81.29 percent.
The FBRs plan implemented?(2021-22)?to deal with the taxpayers applications unveiled that the FBR has introduced?the e-Filing of Appeals at the first appellate forum of the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals).
The FBR revised the Rules of Business, 1973, due to which the following decisions would not require approval from the Law & Justice Division:
(i) payment of fees, special and normal
(ii) Placement of Legal Counsels/Advocates on the FBR Panel
(iii) engaging any legal counsel/advocate from outside the FBR Panel
(iv) Complete liberation in handling litigation matters
Moreover, the FBR has increased the number of Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals, i.e., CIR (A), from 23 (BS-20) officers to 34 (BS-20) officers/CIR (A) throughout the country.
The annual disposal of appeals at the national level increased from 22095 appeals (the tax year 2019) to 40058 appeals (the tax year 2022), posting a growth of 81.29 percent according to the Revenue Division Year Book 2021-22.
The FBR further presented the first-ever Policy for the Appointment of Panel Advocates with the introduction of a Score Card so that transparency is ensured and selection is made on merit. The policy is duly accepted by the Board-in-Council (BIC) and okayed by the Supreme Court in Prudential Banks case.
The FBR has also introduced the first-ever Policy for delisting Legal Counsels / Advocates from FBRs Panel. The policy is duly approved by the FBRs Board-in-Council.
In addition, the FBR has increased the financial powers of the Chief Commissioners of Inland Revenue for granting Special Fee to the Legal Counsel from Rs. 200,000 to Rs. 500,000 to ensure timely and proper representation before the Courts. It contains Constituted Regional Focal Teams to interact with and help Courts, registrars of High Courts, and Attorney General offices.