The Cross River State Government has extended its sensitisation exercise on the new Nigeria Tax Law to taxpayers, churches and business owners in the state, with a view to boosting the state and national economies.

The event, organised by the state Internal Revenue Service and held in Calabar for the Southern Senatorial District, followed similar exercises in the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of the state Internal Revenue Service, Prince Edwin Okon, said the tax reforms were aimed at simplifying compliance, reducing the burden on small businesses and low-income earners, and strengthening Nigeria’s revenue system, adding, “It is the will of President Tinubu to make taxation fairer and more beneficial to ordinary Nigerians.”

“Businessmen and women, especially market women and others, must understand why the government collects tax, what it does with it, and how they should pay without exploitation.

“The Federal Government has removed the fuel subsidy, unified the exchange rate, and increased allocations to states. These reforms will ensure more projects are delivered to benefit citizens,” he said.

Prince Okon explained that four new tax acts, signed into law on 26 June 2025, now consolidate more than 20 separate tax laws.

He noted that businesses with an annual turnover below N50 million are exempt from Companies Income Tax and Value Added Tax, while minimum wage earners will no longer pay personal income tax.

He added that the reforms also introduced a Tax Dispute Resolution Mechanism, allowing citizens to lodge complaints free of charge, with resolutions provided within 7–14 days.

Prince Okon urged chairmen of local government councils to establish Revenue Committees to handle tax assessment and collection within their jurisdiction and to operate autonomously of the Local Government Treasury.

The IRS chairman warned his staff against collecting money directly from taxpayers, stating that such actions are unauthorised.

In a presentation on understanding Nigeria’s new Tax Law by the head of Revenue Assurance of the state Internal Revenue Service, Dr Patience Egwu, it was highlighted how tax revenues are being used to expand access to infrastructure.

She said the IRS aims to improve tax compliance and revenue collection in the state. She advised taxpayers to be cautious and not pay cash to IRS staff or into private accounts, adding that the state government is committed to implementing the new tax law and ensuring that all taxable entities contribute to the state’s revenue.

The workshop aimed to educate local government officials about their roles in implementing the new tax law and in improving revenue collection. The IRS is working to create a more efficient and transparent tax system in Cross River State.