Commissioner Inland Revenue asked to avoid annulment of orders Business February 21, 2021 KARACHI: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) issued instructions to Commissioner Inland Revenue (Appeals) for avoiding annulment of orders in a bid to control the first appellate forum available to taxpayers, it was learnt on Saturday. The office of CIR (Appeals) is the first appellate forum available to taxpayers where they seek remedy against orders passed by tax officers. The FBR, through a letter dated February 15, 2021, issued directives to CIRs (Appeals) to avoid unnecessary annulment of orders with directions. The CIRs have been authorised to exercise powers under Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, Sales Tax Act, 1990 and Federal Excise Act, 2005 for grievance redressal of taxpayers against adverse orders passed by IR officers. Through the letter, the FBR noted: “… frequent annulled with directions orders will reflect adversely on the performance of the officers.” Tax practitioners termed the move of the FBR as an attack on independence of judiciary and violation to Article 10A of the Constitution.