The Inland Revenue Service Officers Association (IRSOA) has raised strong objections to the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) new transformation plan.
The officers have expressed deep concerns about both the content of the plan and how it is being implemented. They emphasized that despite multiple efforts to engage in dialogue, including sending formal requests for meetings, their concerns have been repeatedly ignored. This lack of communication has left the officers feeling disconnected and overlooked, as they believe their voices and issues are being sidelined in the process.
FBR’s IRS Officers Association has rejected PM’s new tax plan!
— Shahbaz Rana (@81ShahbazRana) September 21, 2024
It also objects to painting the FBR as snake. It says image of a snake implies that the FBR is akin to a snake. The IRS officers also object to profiling them as corrupt. But new Chairman FBR vows to transforms FBR pic.twitter.com/T4xDEzxHQa
The Inland Revenue Service Officers Association (IRSOA), representing over 1,300 officers who play a key role in collecting more than Rs9 trillion each year, has expressed its disapproval of the FBR new transformation plan. The association criticized the plan for being developed without consulting the very officers responsible for its execution, raising concerns about transparency and fairness within the department.
In a press release on Saturday, the IRSOA clarified that contrary to media reports, the plan was not an initiative generated from within the FBR. A task force of IRS officers was quickly put together to assess data and identify tax gaps, but they had no involvement in shaping the FBR plan’s recommendations. This exclusion has led to significant dissatisfaction among the officers, who feel their expertise was sidelined in a process that directly impacts their work.
The IRS Officers Association (IRSOA) strongly condemned what it sees as unfair practices in the FBR’s transformation plan, specifically pointing out the 60/40 peer rating system for performance reviews. According to the officers, this method of evaluation is not only demoralizing but also unjust, particularly when compared to how other civil servant groups are assessed. They argue that relying on subjective peer reviews creates a biased system that undermines morale.
Instead of using this peer-based approach, the IRSOA has suggested a more objective evaluation system. They propose that performance be measured by concrete indicators such as the number of new taxpayer registrations, recovery results, and audit successes. This, they believe, would create a fairer and more motivating environment for the officers, aligning evaluations with real achievements rather than personal opinions.
The IRS Officers Association (IRSOA) also took issue with the plan’s approach to accountability. One of their main concerns was the decision to hire external auditors from the private sector, which they believe could compromise both accountability and data security. The officers voiced fears about potential leaks of sensitive information, a risk that they feel is heightened by bringing in outside auditors.
Instead, the IRSOA recommended that auditors be recruited from within the department. They argue that this would maintain greater control over accountability and help prevent scandals like the ones previously associated with Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL). By keeping the process internal, the association believes it would ensure more secure and transparent operations within the FBR.
The IRS Officers Association (IRSOA) stressed the need for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to align its digital strategy with the organization’s broader goals, especially in improving the taxpayer experience and boosting operational efficiency. According to the association, better use of data analytics and intelligence sharing is crucial for raising tax revenue. However, they pointed out that the transformation plan falls short in this area.
One of the key criticisms was that the plan does not institutionalize access to essential data or decentralize it to the right stakeholders. This lack of data accessibility, the IRSOA argues, hinders efforts to streamline operations and make informed decisions, ultimately limiting the potential to enhance both revenue collection and overall performance.
