The Kwara State Government has debunked claims  by a political group that it's tax collection system is harsh on Small and Medium Scale enterprises in the state even as it asserted that second phase of its N500m support for small businesses will take off in 2013.

On the contrary, said Dr Muideen Akorede, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications to the state Governor, Kwara State has a liberal tax collection system that allows convenient payment by individuals and organisations.

Stressing that payment of taxes is obligatory on all, Akorede said the Kwara State Board of Internal Revenue's collection system considers the economic circumstances of individuals and business owners in enforcement efforts, adding that the government was unaware of complaints of harsh treatment or harassment by the government or its agents.

The state government said as part of efforts to enhance revenue it organised a series of advocacy workshops for companies and SMEs, the last of which held last week and that at none of these fora did small business owners complain about the state's tax collection drive. 

"Neither the National Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises nor KWACCIMA whose members comprise small business owners have complained of harassment by the state government or its agents. We don't know where this political group got its information from but we will be happy to look into proven cases of harsh treatment from the appropriate quarters", said Akorede.

The state government advised the political to seek clarification on Kwara economic issues rather than dabble into issues about it had no knowledge.