By Sunday Daramola.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Tax and Revenue Matters Hon Ayodeji Adarabierin and his counterpart on IGR Hon. ‘Yomi Oso have intervened in the brewing tax crisis between the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) and the Association of Professional Printers of Nigeria (APPON) in the State.
The dispute, which had been ongoing for some weeks, centred on allegations of high-handedness and unfair tax assessment by EKIRS against APPON members.
The association had claimed that EKIRS was imposing arbitrary taxes on its members, leading to a significant increase in their tax burden.
Hon Adarabierin and Hon. Oso held series of meetings and negotiations, with both parties and commended them for their willingness to engage in constructive dialogue to end the crisis.
They reiterated Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s commitment to creating a conducive business environment, promote economic growth, and ensuring that the tax system is fair and equitable for all.
“This agreement demonstrates the commitment of the Ekiti State Government to creating a conducive business environment and promoting the growth of the private sector,” they said.
The duo noted that engagement with stakeholders, including taxpayers, tax professionals, and relevant government agencies, became necessary in having a good tax system.
They assured the association that they would continue to act as intermediaries between EKIRS and tax payers in the state to forestall recurrence of the crisis in the near future.
However, the duo emphasized that Personal Income Tax is a mandatory levy that must be paid by all eligible individuals.
The Chairman of APPON in Ekiti State, Mr. Fabusola Omotayo, appreciated the efforts of Mr Adarabierin and his counterpart Mr Oso for their intervention.
“We are grateful for the prompt attention given to our complaints by the SSA on Tax and SSA on IGR, this move will go a long way to help address and reduce the tax burden on our members and promote the growth of the printing industry in Ekiti State.”
Mr Omotayo applauded the state government’s proactive steps to address the concerns surrounding tax assessment irregularities.
“We commend Governor Oyebanji for taking prompt action to address our concerns,” said the association’s chairman. “We look forward to working with the state government to ensure that the tax system is fair, transparent, and accountable to all stakeholders.”
According to the SSA on Tax and Revenue Matters, Hon. Adarabierin, the team had also visited the Chairman Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Olaniran Olatona, to discuss ways of having a justifiable tax system.
Mr Olatona while promising that all tax issues will be addressed, assured the aggrieved tax payers in the state that government has no plans to introduce new taxes rather block all loopholes and collect all statutory levies for the development of the state.
He noted that he had reached out to the state government representatives on tax matters and IGR to resolve all tax issues.
The tax expert who dismissed allegations of irregularities in the assessment and high-handedness, appealed to aggrieved tax payers to always approach the EKIRS office to seek clarification on any issues bordering on tax and IGR
