The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Dr Asif Mahmood Jah, visited Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) and held a meeting with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam. Senior members of the university community were also present at the occasion.
During the meeting, Dr Jah elaborated on the role and significance of his office, highlighting the resolution of complex tax disputes under his tenure. He emphasized the commitment of his office to transparency, fairness, and accountability in taxation matters.
A key topic during the question-and-answer session was the taxation challenges faced by salaried individuals, particularly the issue of double taxation. Attendees discussed concerns regarding full income tax deductions at the source, along with withholding tax deductions on expenditures from already taxed income. Another significant concern raised was the discontinuation of the tax rebate for teachers and researchers, which has been a long-standing relief for the academic community.
Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam pointed out that double taxation is imposing a heavy financial burden on salaried individuals. He further stressed that the removal of the tax rebate for teachers and researchers is causing serious demotivation within the academic sector.
In response, Dr Jah assured the university faculty that their concerns would be heard and taken into consideration. He reiterated his office’s dedication to addressing taxation grievances with fairness and efficiency.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prof Dr Rauf-i-Azam expressed his gratitude to the FTO for his visit and insightful discussion. He also extended an invitation to Dr Jah to interact with the students of GCUF and educate them on the work of the Ombudsman’s office. Dr Jah graciously accepted the invitation, further strengthening the relationship between the university and the taxation authorities.
The visit marked an important step toward fostering dialogue between tax authorities and academia, aiming to address the financial challenges faced by the educational community.