The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service stated that it has not given permission for the collection of Personal Income Tax and similar taxes through any association or group representing artisans or business owners.
This information was provided in a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of KWIRS, Shade Omoniyi, and released to the press in Abuja on Thursday.
It said the clarification was prompted by the actions of some business owners, organized under the Igbo traders' group, who closed their shops and business premises across the state to protest against KWIRS over tax-related issues.
It urged taxpayers to submit their tax returns by the specified deadline in accordance with Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax 2011.
The statement declared that KWIRS does not permit the payment of PIT or similar taxes through any existing or potential associations, unions, or groups representing artisans or business owners.
“We urge taxpayers to settle all tax obligations and submit necessary tax returns using the provided channels.
“This is particularly important as the enforcement operation on tax defaulters continues across the state along with appropriate penalties.
“We also want to emphasize that the option to file Individual Annual Tax Returns is still open to the public and can be done easily on the KW-IRS Self-Service Portal via selfservice.kwirs.com from now until 31st March 2024,” it said.
The service, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the low tax compliance among some High Net Worth Individuals in the state.
It reminded them of their right to raise objections to the assessment presented to them as outlined in Section 58 of the PIT Act 2011 (as amended by the Finance Acts 2019 and 2020).
The statement clarified that the call was necessary due to the ongoing enforcement of the service on tax defaulters, encouraging taxpayers to settle their tax liabilities and submit necessary tax returns through the available channels.
It also expressed satisfaction with what it described as an “improved level of tax compliance in the state and the increase in the number of taxpayers over the years, especially among low-income earners.”
“The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) assures taxpayers in the state of its commitment to seamless discharge of its mandate.
“The Service will continue to ensure adequate revenue mobilisation for the socio-economic growth and development of the state in accordance with global best standards.
“Our taxpayers are once again reminded that in accordance with Section 54 (1) of the Personal Income Tax (PITA) 2011 as amended, which mandates every taxable persons in the state to be assessed individually upon the expiration of the time allowed to file a return as mandated by Section 41 of the Act,” it said.
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