Lagos urges payment of tax, expands net

THE Chairman of Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Folarin Ogunsanwo, has canvassed support of the residents in a fresh move to boost internally generated revenue and facilitate implementation of projects and programmes lined up by GovernorAkinwunmi Ambode.

Essentially, the LIRS boss canvassed willful compliance by residents with tax remittances against the norm of being compelled to do so.

Ogunsanwo, who spoke at a meeting with the management and staff of agency, disclosed plans to expand the state tax net with a view to bringing in other taxable residents and achieve proportionate increase in internally generated revenue. He craved the support of the residents, explaining that the move became necessary to ensure that the current administration is not staffed of funds to execute projects that will lift the state.

Ogunsanwo picks holes in the tax audit system currently in use in Lagos, describing it as unnecessary, avoidable and a waste of human resources. He stated that willful compliance will reduce the burden of tax collection and the government will be able to redeploy personnel used to enforce tax remittances in other sectors of the economy to boost development.