The Ondo State Government has urged it's citizens to make tax payment a priority for it to improve on the infrastructural projects in the state.

Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu stated this while declaring open a one day sensitization programme organized by the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) for Informal Sector in the Economy, at the State Information Technology Agency (SITA), in Akure the state capital.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. wale Akinterinwa, commended the President of the CITN for the collaboration between the Institute and the Internal Revenue Service of the state, described the programme as timely to enlighten the stakeholders on the essence of tax payment in the state.

Arakunrin Akeredolu noted that the developed countries did not find themselves where they were today, but they were able to develop through honesty and prompt payment of their various taxes by the citizenry.

The State Head of Service, Mr. Dare Aragbaiye in his remarks lauded the coming together of the various associations for the good of the state, saying it would expand the tax net as well as boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

In his address, the Chairman, of the State Revenue Service, Mr. Tolu Adegbie welcomed all the stakeholders and explained that the collaboration with the CITN as a professional body is to enlighten the stakeholders on various taxes, the need to pay, when & how and penalties for defaulters.

Mr. Adegbie informed the stakeholders of the laws that backed payment of taxes, categories and the rates earmarked for each group that would be made available for every individual as soon as possible.

Earlier in her speech, the President and Chairman of Council, CITN, Mrs. Dame Simplice, who was represented by Dean, Tax Administration & Policy Faculty CITN, Mrs. Banke Akanni, said one of the key element missing in tax mobilization effort in the country is the seeming disconnection between the taxpayers and the tax authorities, resulting in low tax compliance that could be bridged by continual enlightenment of the stakeholders on payment of taxes.

The President pointed out that the programme was to provide clear and simple terms in various taxes applicable to corporate entities and individuals, the mode of filing returns, due dates for filing and penalties for default.

Mrs. Simplice emphasized the need for taxpayers to fulfill their obligation in line with the relevant tax laws administered by the tax authorities at all levels as against the old method of citizen depending on government to provide needed amenities before paying taxes.

Responding on behalf of the stakeholders, the State President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Chief Deric Ijidakinro and the State Chairman, Nigeria Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Mr. Babatunde Sobande, thanked the state government for the development and promised to contributes their own qoutas for the development of the state.

Itunu Lijofi,
Press Officer
ODIRS