Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Tax defaulters in Edo State have been given a 50 percent waiver by the state Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.
However, they have to meet certain conditions to enjoy this freebie.
The Governor made this announcement during a meeting with the Management of Edo State Inland Revenue Service (EIRS) and representatives of tax payers in the state which held at the weekend in Benin City, the state capital.
Mr Obaseki noted that the gesture was to tidy up tax system and encourage tax defaulters to join the pool of 10 percent who pay taxes in the state.
He said part of the conditions set for the defaulters to benefit from the waivers is that all the outstanding tax liabilities running into billions of naira, inherited from by past administrations up to December 1, 2016, must be paid within 90 days.
Mr Obaseki noted that the tax administration of EIRS would be reviewed to check the perceived abuses and arbitrariness in tax assessment and in the state.
According to him, adequate deployment of Information Communication technology (ICT) and trained personnel across the various offices of EIRS in the state would be done.
The Governor further said an online portal, where tax payers could assess and file their tax returns effortlessly, would be set up in the next six months.
“On a final note, I agree with you, this is a new era. We are in a recession. Things are difficult and as a government that is listening, we must respond, but also, as a people, you must also reciprocate.
“We will look at all outstanding tax liabilities. We will wave most of the interest and penalties that have accumulated and impact on what is outstanding.
“Depending on the category, it is from the waiver that you will get up to 50 percent of what you owe provided that you also agree that you make the payment of what is outstanding within 90 days. We hope that you will also reciprocate by making sure that you clear all your tax arrears so that we do not take them into the new year (2017).
“We want a new start of a new dawn. We want to clean up and ensure that we face the future together with a common sense of purpose.
“We will be investing more in Information Communication technology (ICT). With ICT, you can assess yourself and file your returns on your own.
“We will be upgrading our different area offices across the City and the state to make sure that they serve you better.
“We will be training a lot of new employees who will treat you properly.
“You are Edo Citizens and you are not people under captivity, therefore our role as government is to serve you. We are collecting these taxes to provide service to you.
“We will not allow a situation whereby you see us as evil and unfriendly. Government must be friendly and perceived as humane. However, that is not a sign of weakness and that is something that we must emphasize in EIRS,” Mr Obaseki disclosed.
