KW-IRS reads Riot Act to tax violators

The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) on Wednesday organised a one-day sensitisation programme to reawaken citizens’ responsibility for tax payment compliance and enlighten stakeholders on new tax reforms.

The programme, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Ilorin, was attended by representatives of private industries, small and medium business owners, professional bodies, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organisations, and individual taxpayers.

Declaring the event open, the Executive Chairman of the Agency, Shade Omoniyi, said the workshop was necessary due to the agency’s observation of a lack of adequate information and knowledge on the part of taxpayers, which has been hindering the agency’s performance.

“Taxation, as we all know, is the lifeblood of any economy. It is through the faithful payment of taxes that the government can provide critical infrastructure, quality education, healthcare, and other essential public services.

“However, tax compliance remains a significant hurdle. Addressing this challenge requires deliberate strategies, collaboration, and continuous stakeholder dialogue.

“Today’s program has been thoughtfully designed to address some of the pressing issues surrounding tax compliance and to provide practical insights for all stakeholders,” she said.

Five papers were presented on the theme of the program, tagged “Enhancing Tax Compliance through Stakeholder Sensitization and Engagement.”

The papers presented included ‘Harmonised Bill and Other Taxes Collectable by the Service,’ delivered by the Agency’s Director of MDAs, Omotayo Ayinla; ‘Practical Guide on Filing Annual Returns for Corporate Organisations and Individuals,’ delivered by HOD Tax Audit, Mohammed Rufai; ‘Payment Options and Processes,’ by HOD Corporate Tax, Kuburat Yinusa; and ‘Withholding Tax Regulation 2024 and Proposed Tax Reform,’ delivered by HOD Tax Assessment, Abdullahi Gegele.

Delivering a paper on the implications of non-compliance, Muhammed Audu, HOD Corporate Planning, said failure to pay tax, underreporting income, non-filing annual returns, overstating deductions, and not remitting within the required time attract penalties such as N50,000 for individuals and N500,000 for corporate organisations, or six months imprisonment.

Participants were given time to ask questions with corresponding answers, and they were put through practical ways of filing taxes on the website of the agency, noting that manual tax filing is no longer allowed.