The Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) has welcomed the establishment of a dedicated E-Desk at the Regional Tax Office (RTO) Hyderabad, calling the initiative a positive step toward improving taxpayer facilitation and resolving technical issues faced by the business community.

HCSTSI President Nadeem Ahmed Siddiqui, leading a chamber delegation, met Mirza Nasir Baig, Chief Operations (Inland Revenue), Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), during his visit to RTO Hyderabad. During the meeting, the delegation highlighted a range of concerns faced by traders and industrialists, particularly issues related to the Inland Revenue Information System (IRIS), digital invoicing, sales tax invoice uploads and return filing procedures.

Mirza Nasir Baig inaugurated the E-Desk at RTO Hyderabad to give taxpayers and tax consultants a dedicated platform to address technical difficulties and get timely guidance. FBR officials assured the delegation that they would address complaints and issues related to sales tax and IRIS on a priority basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Siddiqui appreciated the efforts of FBR officials and expressed hope that the E-Desk would evolve into an effective mechanism for promptly resolving taxpayers’ problems rather than merely serving as a complaint-receiving facility.

He noted that traders and industrialists were already facing multiple challenges, including rising utility costs, increasing tax burdens and business uncertainties. While supporting the government’s drive towards digitalisation and modernised tax systems, he stressed that successful implementation would require a transparent, fully functional and user-friendly system.

The HCSTSI president also highlighted technical glitches in digital invoicing and the IRIS system, saying system failures often prevent businesses from uploading invoices and filing returns correctly. He urged that taxpayers should not be penalised for shortcomings caused by technical faults beyond their control.

The chamber further called for stronger taxpayer facilitation, prompt technical support and a permanent framework for resolving business-related tax issues at the local level. FBR representatives assured the delegation of their cooperation in addressing the genuine concerns of the trading and industrial community.