950803

CBR introducting

hi-tech scanners to

record returns

IKRAMUL HAQ

ISLAMABAD: As part of its reorganisation effort the Central Board of Revenue is undertaking a massive modernisation of Income Tax system and computerisation of the tax payers records.

Member Income Tax Policy Ahmed Khan told Business Recorder here on Thursday that an important feature of the exercise will be the introduction of scanners for the Income Tax returns. The scanners, i.e. high speed optical character reading machines, will be able to record a minimum of 1500 returns in an hour.

Ahmed Khan stated that the CBR has already prescribed computer compatible tax returns for each category of tax payers. The returns are expected to be available from income tax offices by Aug. 15.

Each return and acknowledgement slip attached to it has got a serial number. The acknowledgement slip issued to the tax payer at the time of filing of return will be duly recorded by the department as payment of tax. It will save the tax payer from any harassment.

Ahmed Khan added that reading scanners will be able to record even 3,000 returns an hour. The scanners are proposed to be installed before middle of September well in time to receive the tax returns.

The introduction of high speed scanners will augment CBR's data processing facility in a very substantial way, as in the past manual processing was time consuming and often got delayed. The new system would also remove the irritants which tax payers commonly faced in filing their returns.

The member added that as part of the re-organisation effort, the CBR is also starting preparation of technical manuals for each sector of trade and industry so as to make the assessment process objective and transparent.

Ahmed Khan disclosed that the tax payers will also be issued national tax cards by the middle of November this year. Once these cards are displayed at business premises, it would be sufficient evidence that the tax payer is registered with the Income Tax Department and no one will be able to ask him any question except officers of the department having valid and specific authority for inspection.

With the introduction of the new three machines - one each at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad - CBR will be in position to feed the entire tax payers, record in a week's time.

The scanners, it is stated, will be able to read the handwritten alphabets with little chance of error.

Ahmad Khan added that the modern and high speed equipment would save considerable time for the staff to concentrate on new surveys of potential income tax payers and tas studies. Thus not only the system will see far reaching improvement but also substantially the tax base in the country.