DEMAND JUDICIOUS USE OF YOUR TAX FROM GOVERNMENT: EXPERTS CHARGE CITIZENS
REPORTER: ALFRED AJAYI
Citizens of Anambra State have been charged to always insist on judicious utilization of all taxes, levies and rates collected from them by all tiers of government.
The charge was given by some experts in Awka, Anambra State, during a one-day sensitization on “tax policies and programmes, tax compliance, effectiveness and efficiency of tax collection methods and processes in Anambra State” for Anambra Central Senatorial District.
Organized by a Non-Governmental Organization, the event was aimed at boosting government efforts towards improving tax compliance in the area.
One of them, a civil society activist, Mrs. Ugochi Ehiahuruike, stressed the need for the citizens of Anambra State to understand their obligations and rights and to demand service for the revenue government collects from them.
“Sometimes, people complain about multiple taxes, not knowing that there are taxes and levies to be collected by the Federal, state and local governments. But, we are advising the government to streamline the collections so that (people will) make once and for all payment.
“So, as you go back, encourage our people to pay their taxes. It is only then we can return to hold government accountable for the utilization of the money,” she concluded.
In a paper presentation on the benefits of tax compliance, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, (Technical) Mrs. Amara Oyeka, warned against filing tax returns outside the time frame permitted by the tax law of the state.
“For those in the formal sector, your monthly tax must be paid on or before 10th of the proceeding month, while for those in the formal sector are expected to file their returns by 30th of March of the proceeding year.
“Tax is for the good of all of us. With it, Government provides public services such as transportation, good roads, qualitative education, quality healthcare system etc.
“Even if you have been evading tax for years, the law says you should be made to pay for all the years you have defaulted whenever you are caught,” the SSA stated.
In another presentation, the Head, Monitoring of Unified Hybrid Enforcement Team, (UHBET) in Anambra Central Senatorial District, Mr. Buchi Okoli, said the state had witnessed a marked improvement since the team was constituted.
“Before the birth of UHBET, the revenue of Anambra state has never exceeded 1.5 billion naira. But from the birth of UHBET, the state has never made less than 2.5 billion naira monthly.
“UHBET discharges its responsibility with civility. Educate your members we are not the one maltreating citizens everywhere. With UHBET, the era of paying tax without ASIN number is gone,” Mr. Okoli remarked.
At the end of the event, a participant from the civil society, Mrs. Eucharia Anekwe, commended the organizers for enriching them with knowledge.
“I can say it boldly that those who attended this event left happily having been armed with relevant information.
“However, for this to translate into more revenue for the state, there is need for more sensitization at the community level. Every participant must step down the knowledge on their various forums,” Anekwe advised.
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
