Taxpayers in Edo State have been charged to key into the Edo State Internal Revenue Services (EIRS) people’s tax friendly policy by promptly filing their tax returns to the state revenue agency, pointing out that lots of benefits are open for tax compliance.
This was stated by the Director of Small Income Tax Payers (EIRS), Mrs. Ogedegbe Osarienmen during a One-Day Tax Compliance Clinic/Sensitization Programme, targeted at operators of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), held in Benin City, the Edo State Capital.
One-Day Tax Compliance Clinic/Sensitization Programme
She said that the State government’s tax administration policy is not out to strangulate operators of SMES and other tax payers in the state but for the continuous provision of good governance and development to the people through the provision of public services needed to be financed by the people.
“What I would like to appeal is that you all, those in the SMEs should try to file your tax returns as it will help in eliminating the issues of over taxation,” she appealed.
The EIRS Director, disclosed further that the newly introduced federal government’s Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), is a time limited opportunity for tax payers to regularize their tax status relating to previous tax periods, noting that in exchange for fully cum honestly declaring undisclosed asset and income, tax payers are expected to benefit from the forgiveness of interest and penalties.
While enumerating some of the taxes collectible and recognized by law to include Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE), Withholding Tax, Land Use Charge, Stamp Duties, Development Levy, Road Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Pools Betting/Gaming Tax, Ogedegbe remarked that consumption tax is not bonded by the hoteliers but by the Consumers/Users, lamenting that “most hoteliers do jot want to collect this tax on behalf of the government”.
On the issues of best of judgment tax assessment policy, the Director however maintained that the EIRS do not engage in raising arbitrary income assessment, saying:
“That we look at some important issues like the tax history, amount paid before, line of business as well as those in the same category of business of taxpayers before raising our best of judgment”.