INLAND REVENUE SERVICE, PAKISTAN.
The Federal Board of Revenue
FBR has two major wings: the Inland Revenue Wing (Income Tax Department) which brings in about 54% of FBR's total collection and Customs Wing now called as Pakistan Customs Service. Mostly in the media, the acronym 'FBR' is also often mentioned when speaking in relation to Inland Revenue Officers (previously Income Tax Department officials) in Pakistan.
The Federal Board of Revenue (more commonly known by its initials as FBR) is the semi-autonomous, supreme federal agency of Pakistan that is responsible for auditing, enforcing and collecting revenue for the government of Pakistan. FBR has the responsibility for:
1. formulation and administration of fiscal policies,
2. levy and collection of federal taxes and
3. quasi-judicial function of hearing of appeals.
FBR is estimated to be the largest federal bureaucracy in Pakistan. As the agency conducts audit of taxpayers regularly, it's regarded as the guardian of national treasury in Pakistan.
FBR primarily operates through its main collection arms, its field formations, the Regional Tax Offices (RTOs) and Large Taxpayer Units (LTUs) across the country.
Income Tax Officers (now Inland Revenue Officers) are considered some of the very powerful officers in the country. For the purpose of collection of revenue and pursuing tax evaders, FBR's powers & functions also include but are not limited to: carrying out inquiries and audits/investigations into the tax affairs, commanding arrests, attachment as well as public auction of movable and immovable assets of a non-compliant. The current Chairman of FBR was appointed by the Prime Minister.
SPECIAL TRAINING PROGRAMME OF IRS:
Directorate General of Training & Research (Inland Revenue), Lahore.
A well trained workforce is a prerequisite for the success of any organization. Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the federal tax collecting agency of Pakistan, has entrusted this important task of training to Directorate General of Training & Research (Inland Revenue), Lahore – also known as DOT. DOT is realizing this objective through:
• Specialized Training Programme (STP) for the newly recruited officers of Inland Revenue Service (IRS) inducted through competitive examination conducted by Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC);
• In-service Capacity Building Programme(s) and Refresher Course(s) for Inland Revenue Service (IRS) officers and officials;
• Tax related Research;
• Local and International Tax Seminars and Conferences.
Main campus of DOT is located at Sutlej Block, Allama Iqbal Town, Lahore. Besides the main campus at Lahore, the Directorate General has two regional offices: one in Islamabad and the other in Karachi.
DOT has evolved as the premier tax training institute over the years. In 1954, a separate training institute known as ‘Directorate of Training’ was established in Karachi. The objective of this training institute was to train the probationary officers of the Department of Income Tax, Federal Board of Revenue (previously Central Board of Revenue (CBR)
With the formation of Inland Revenue Service in 2010, DOT was renamed as ‘Directorate General of Training and Research (Inland Revenue). It is now imparting training to the workforce of FBR in Income Tax Law, Sales Tax Act, Federal Excise Act, Accountancy, Information Technology etc.
CAMPUS LIFE at DOT:
DOT campus at Lahore is spreading over a large area and is known for its scenic beauty due to its lush green and well-maintained lawns. This aesthetic beauty has made DOT a preferable venue for many official functions and gatherings. The purpose built training campus of DOT comprises of Lecture Theatres, Conference Room, Computer Labs, Library, Auditorium, Gymnasium, Indoor sports room and fully furnished hostels for the accommodation of probationary officers and other trainees/ delegates. The infrastructure of DOT is fully equipped with latest audio-visual aids and modern equipment. A state of the art sports complex is also under construction. DOT has always hired the services of best professionals from market and from the department to achieve the objective of providing a well trained work force to Federal Board of Revenue.
In addition to being a training institute, DOT is also responsible for conducting local and international tax conferences and tax workshops. In March 2007, a successful International conference of ‘Association of Tax Authorities of Islamic Countries (ATAIC)’ was held at DOT. In the said conference, heads of training institutes (Direct Taxes) of ATAIC seven member countries i.e. Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, Yemen and Turkey shared and exchanged their experiences. Representatives from ‘International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation (IBFD) and USA (Department of Treasury) attended the conference as observers.
CAREER PATH OF INLAND REVENUE OFFICERS:
Posted as Assistant Commissioners in one of these offices i.e. for instance in RTU (Regional Tax Unit) or in LTU (Large Taxpayers unit) etc. As AC of either RTU or LTU
DESIGNATIONS OF IRS OFFICERS:
BS 17
Assistant Commissioner Inland Revenue / Assistant Director FBR
BS 18
Deputy Commissioner / Deputy Director
BS 19
Additional Commissioner / Additional Director
BS 20
Commissioner / Director
BS 21
Chief Commissioner / Member FBR / Director General
BS 22
Chairman FBR
Further detail on DOT can be obtained from:
http://dgtrdt.gov.pk/