Taraba government to prosecute tax defaulters

Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku has said that the State Government would begin prosecutions of tax defaulters from 1st April, 2018.

Governor Ishaku stated this while delivering a speech at a town hall meeting held at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo.

At the event, ‘Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS)’ organised by the State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Ishaku added that the state government has given notices to individuals at all levels who have income assets to declare them and pay all the outstanding taxes on or before 31st March, 2018 or face prosecution.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Anthony Jellason, the Governor noted that the notice to declare all assets with offenders facing prosecution is coming just as the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, then

Acting President, had on 1st July 2017, called on individuals to voluntarily declare their assets to government and pay their 5% income tax on or before 31st March 2018.

He however, called on individuals and organisations who have assets on the state to comply with the directive to avoid being harassed or embarrassed.

“Taxpayers that declare their assets and income would be required to pay only their outstanding tax liabilities with the assurance that they will not face any criminal prosecution for tax offences and tax investigations”,

“Early participants may also benefit from forgiveness of overdue interest and penalty”, he said.
Earlier, in his address of welcome, the Executive Chairman, Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue (BIR), Dr. Siman
Ambita’a, described Tax as a compulsory contribution imposed on individuals, businesses and corporate organizations carrying out economic activities in or within the State in accordance with the law.

He further said that Taxes are levies imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organisation in order to fund various public expenditures.

Dr. Ambita’a also solicited for the understanding and cooperation of private owners of such assets who have not declared them to government, to urgently do so, assuring them up to date payments of their 5% income.
He assured that the idea would help attract development as it would boost the state IGR.

Okerafor Athanatius, Jalingo.