The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service said it has not authorised payment of Personal Income Tax and the like through any association or umbrella group representing artisans or business owners.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of KWIRS, Shade Omoniyi, and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

It said the clarification came on the heels of the decision of some business owners under the auspices of Igbo traders, who closed their shops and business premises across the state in protest against KWIRS over tax-related issues.

It called on taxpayers to file a return upon the expiration of the time allowed in line Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax 2011.

The statement asserted that KWIRS is not allowing the payment of PIT or its equivalent through any existing or prospective associations, unions, or umbrella group(s) representing artisans or business owners.

“We implore taxpayers to pay all tax liabilities and file needed tax returns using avenues provided.

“This is particularly important as the ongoing enforcement exercise on tax defaulters continues across the state along with lawful penalties.

“We also wish to state that the avenue to file Individual Annual Tax Returns is still available to the public and can be done seamlessly on the KW-IRS Self-Service Portal via selfservice.kwirs.com between now and 31st March 2024,” it said.

The service, however, expressed displeasure over the low level of tax compliance by some High Net Worth Individuals in the state.

It reminded them of their rights to submit objections to the assessment presented to them as stated in Section 58 of the PIT Act 2011 (as amended by the Finance Acts 2019 and 2020).

The statement explained that the call became necessary in view of the ongoing enforcement of the service on tax defaulters, urging taxpayers to redeem their tax liabilities and file needed tax returns with the provided avenues.

It also expressed joy at what it described as “improved level of tax compliance in the state and the growth in the number of taxpayers over the years, especially among low-income earners.”

“The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) assures taxpayers in the state of its commitment to seamless discharge of its mandate.

“The Service will continue to ensure adequate revenue mobilisation for the socio-economic growth and development of the state in accordance with global best standards.

“Our taxpayers are once again reminded that in accordance with Section 54 (1) of the Personal Income Tax (PITA) 2011 as amended, which mandates every taxable persons in the state to be assessed individually upon the expiration of the time allowed to file a return as mandated by Section 41 of the Act,” it said.

NAN