Benin City, Edo, Nigeria – Oladipo Airenakho.
Executive Chairman of Edo state Internal Revenue Service, Chief Oseni Elamah, has emphasized the need for tax authorities at all levels of government to perform their functions with all sense of responsibility in accordance with statutory provision, so as to safeguard the integrity of the tax system.
Elemah examined and described the multiplicity of taxes and levies imposed on tax payer in various states as a disincentive to the growth of economies at the state and national level which he said should discarded.
He suggested that tax authorities of the various states in the country be encouraged to develop cordial relationship with and provide useful information to one another.
The tax chief who spoke at the 129th Meeting of the Joint Tax Board recently held in Benin City also advised that machinery be put in place to provide timely and up-to-date information on tax matters not only among state and federal tax authorities but also the tax payers through public enlightenment.
He said these measures will not only assist in check-mating unauthorized persons engaged in extortion of businesses and the citizens but also ensure tax payers’ confidence and create a sustainable tax system for the benefit of all stakeholders.
In his speech at the occasion, the National Chairman of the Joint Tax Board, Kabir Mashi described the program as an opportunity for all tax authorities and stakeholders in the country to map out strategies that can be adopted to enhance exchange of information capability and an agreed framework for implementation of improved collaboration between the various tax authorities.
He said the exchange of information holds the key to improving the ability of tax authorities to identify and register taxpayers, widen the taxpayer net, properly assess taxpayers and ensure compliance.
Kabir Mashi who noted the appropriateness of the theme of the program, ‘’Imperative of Exchange of Information Among Tax Authorities’’ said the gathering will also afford the various states and national tax authorities the opportunity to confront issues such as non-compliance, tax evasion and other practices which lead to revenue leakage.
