Another NBR move to check tax dodging

The National Board of Revenue has asked its field offices to form intelligence and investigation cell (IIC) in each zone to prevent tax evasion and net evaders.

The NBR directed field offices to send reports on unearthed cases of tax evasions every month to the headquarters, according to a notice issued on December 1 to tax commissioners.

“It is necessary to bring more dynamism and expand the activities of the intelligence and investigation to rein in tax dodging,” the NBR said in the notice.

Subsequently, it directed the field offices to conduct probe into at least four tax evasion-related cases each month.

The NBR issued the instruction saying that it did not see any progress in the formation of such cells despite a directive in this regard a couple of years ago.

The IIC, comprising four teams, can be formed under the leadership of the commissioner of each tax zone.

The cell will take necessary steps to encourage taxpayers to be compliant and pay the actual amounts of tax.

The NBR said the IICs will have the power to collect information, examine documents and conduct field level investigation outside their respective territories as part of their responsibilities. The cell will also be able to gather bank account related information if it considers necessary for review, the notice added.