A group, Hope Givers Initiative has advised tax payers in Anambra State to ensure payment of their taxes as at when due to appropriate agencies to avoid intimidation and harassment by illegal revenue collectors.
Executive Director, Mrs Onyeka Okey Udegbunam gave the advice during a consultative meeting with civil society organizations on tax administration and management.
She lamented incivility and violent disposition of some revenue collectors while discharging their responsibilities, just as she called on government to prosecute illegal revenue agents.
She said: “Government should fish out illegal revenue collectors and prosecute them. Government should also put up an awareness system that will regularly remind people of tax payments.
“Tax payers should pay their taxes as at when due to the appropriate bodies to avoid intimidation by the illegal revenue collectors.
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“Government should put up a body to handle monitoring of defaulters of tax payments. Government should conduct proper enrolment of more tax payers and document them in the database of tax payers.”
Chairman, Anambra Internal Revenue Services, Dr. Greg Ezeilo underscored the importance of tax-knowledge population.
Ezeilo, represented by an official of the agency, Mrs. Eberechukwu Ezekigbo advised tax administrators to be civil in the discharge of their duties.
He said: “There’s need for the citizens to know that taxation is an obligation backed by law not victimization. It’s t’s not optional. It’s been there from time immemorial.
“We can’t be expecting much from the government without meeting with our own responsibility and contributions.
“My advice to our tax administrators is to be civil, in the discharge of our duties.