Islamabad, Jan 1: In 2024, the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) received a record 13,506 complaints against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and successfully disposed of 12,941 complaints, most of which were resolved in favor of taxpayers. This marks an impressive 95.6 percent resolution rate.
The significant increase in complaints was attributed to a series of awareness campaigns led by the FTO and its advisors across the country. These sessions were conducted with Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Tax Bar Associations, Business Community Associations, and tax law professionals to inform the public about the role and functions of the FTO, leading to a surge in complaint submissions.
The FTO’s proactive outreach efforts also contributed to the high volume of complaints and decisions. Thousands of grievances were addressed, and relief was provided to a large number of complainants, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds. In addition to regular complaints, the FTO focused on informal resolutions for disadvantaged groups.
The FTO’s annual figures also included 32 “Own Motion” initiatives, which allowed the organization to directly intervene and grant relief to numerous individuals. The Secretariat also helped low-income employees by ensuring proper taxation practices and supported folk artists by resolving issues related to withholding taxes. Teachers also benefited from the FTO’s efforts to provide tax rebates in numerous cases.
These efforts underscored the FTO’s commitment to being a relief-oriented institution, prioritizing taxpayer welfare and addressing issues with the FBR effectively.
