FBR Sets Up Special Office to Combat Smuggling and Under-Invoicing

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established the Office of the Director General (Special Initiatives — Customs) to identify loopholes in the revenue collection mechanism and eliminate misdeclaration, under invoicing/mis-invoicing, and smuggling. According to a notification issued by the FBR on Friday, the Competent Authority has approved establishment of Office of the Director General (Special Initiatives — Customs) and two Directors (Special Initiatives-Customs) in FBR (HQ), to coordinate with the field formations to identify loop holes in revenue collection mechanism (if any). The office will also take care of measures regarding the prevention of misdeclaration as well as under invoicing/mis-invoicing and further streamline the efforts to curb the smuggling phenomena. These efforts will not only be helpful to remove multiple complex professional bottlenecks but also set-aside many unnecessary obstructions in tax collection efforts causing significant revenue loss to the national exchequer, the notification stated. The Director General (Special Initiatives-Customs) will also coordinate with other Ministries/ Divisions/ Departments regarding Customs-related matters, if required so. Salient features/functions for the office of the Director General / Directors (Special Initiatives — Customs) are as under: