ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Secretariat received 10,515 complaints during the past ten months, of which 9,900 have been resolved, an impressive uptick from previous periods. Talking to media here on Tuesday, FTO officials informed that in a substantial advancement for taxpayer rights and fair tax administration, the Office of the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has seen impressive strides under the leadership of Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah. Since its inception in 2000, the FTO office faced hurdles, such as limited engagement and responsiveness. However, with Dr Jah, an accomplished tax expert, taking the reins, the office has undergone a significant transformation, increasing both the volume and the efficiency of complaint resolutions. Over the past ten months, the FTO Secretariat received 10515 complaints, of which 9900 have been resolved an impressive uptick from previous periods. Highlighting this achievement, Advisor Legal, and Almas Ali Jovindah, emphasized the notable progress made. Particularly, the proactive use of Section 33 of the FTO Ordinance, aimed at informal dispute resolutions, has surged, streamlining the resolution process for taxpayers. A key impact of the FTO’s intervention has been the expedited processing of delayed tax refunds. In just ten months, Rs 2.00 Billion was refunded to taxpayers, a marked increase from Rs 17.742 Billion in 2023. Additionally, Dr. Jah has championed a record number of 31 own-motion investigations, addressing systemic issues within the tax administration, reaffirming the and a FTO’s dedication to eradicating taxpayer grievances. In the first ten months of the current calendar year, the number of complaints has increased by 67%. And we have conducted 117 outreach sessions in 2024. The FTO’s performance has also been bolstered by a seasoned advisory team conducting extensive outreach efforts to educate the public on their tax rights. This has fostered…