The Chairman of Kogi state Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, on Tuesday said that the automation of its operations have excited taxpayers which led to the generation of 23.5bn in 2023.
This is just as he said the revenue service was able to scale up the revenue collected from a paltry sum of 6.5bn eight years ago to the tune of 23.5bn in the last year due to digital innovation adopted by the present Management.
The Chairman , disclosed this at the Stakeholders Interactive Session 2024 Edition themed: “Continuous Engagement for Effective Tax Administration”, on Tuesday in Lokoja
He noted that the Service had in the last eights transitioned to digital systems for efficient tax processes, introducing a tax guide to simplify tax payments, enabling them to be made from home.
“Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) over the last eight years improved the state internal Revenue profile from N6.5 billon to N33.5 billion.
“This achievement is attributed to the collective efforts and contributions of everyone involved, highlighting the importance of teamwork and community support in achieving financial growth.
“In the last eight years, KGIRS has moved from manual to digital environment, and that is why we give you a tax guide. We make tax payment easy for you. So that from your bedroom, you are able to pay your tax” he said.
Enehe said the Stakeholders Interactive meeting was aimed at collecting feedback from businesses regarding challenges being faced, with the goal of conveying the information to the state government.
The Chairman further said that the meeting was also intended to help in the design of policies that foster a more business-friendly environment, showcase how state funds are utilized.
It also aims to generate discuss on improvements for the future, thus ensuring a collaborative effort towards economic and infrastructural development.
Enehe said that the Service had also ensured that the black taxes (double taxation) which most businesses are forced to pay are created by the non-state actors.
The Chairman said government had done much with monies generated from tax saying, We confirm that we have better roads now. And we have better security.
He said that a lot of persons who blocked roads to collect illegal taxes have been arrested and prosecuted adding that about 41 of them are currently being prosecuted.
Dr Olubunmi Ajayi, Director MDAs and Other Revenues, in his presentation on “Continuous Stakeholders’ Engagement For Effective Tax Administration”, urged tax payers not to pay cash to revenue officials.
He said the urge was to help eradicate all forms of illegality within the system adding that the service had simplified process of tax payment through the banks, POS and others.
“Our taxpayers remains our valued assets in generating the necessary funds for social and economic development of the State, as they perform thelr civic responsibility in paying their tax obligations.
“While under the leadership of His Excellency, Ahmed Usman Ododo the Executive Governor of the State, Kogites will have value for tax paid, and there will be objectivity, transparency and accountability.
He said that the service carries out enforcement compliance, legal remedy, classic enforcement with deterrence mechanism in dealing with tax defaulters.
The stakeholders interactive session was attended by business class, property owners, Civil Society Organizations, schools proprietors, government functionaries and petty traders.
