AIRS targets N36b revenue for 2021 – Nzekwu

ANAMBRA STATE growth and developmental stride is charting a new path for the state’s transformation. The process could be accelerated without external funding by sustained levies and taxes paid by taxable individuals, businesses and assets in the state.

The Chairman/ Chief Executive, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, (AIRS), David Nzekwu stated this while briefing the media in his office at the Revenue House, Awka, on the activities of the agency. Dr Nzekwu urged ndi Anambra and businesses in the state on prompt payment of their taxes and levies for the development of the state as the AIRS targets N36b revenue for 2021.

He decried the abysmal low level of taxes paid in the state despite the statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics figures that about 1.2 million people in Anambra State are doing business in the state,” Our anchor mandate is to ensure that the revenue that are accruable to the state are collected seamlessly and administer in a seamless manner.   What AIRS is doing is in the interest of everybody. If these people pay their taxes and levies in the average of hundred thousand a year, which amount to about eight hundred per month, it means the state will be able to raise N120 billion  and that is nearly the budget of the state.”

The AIRS boss maintained that the new tax system in Anambra State was designed to identify every taxable individuals, businesses and assets recognised by state tax laws, besides making the system accessible and transparent for taxpayers. He warned defaulters of penalty for dodging their tax obligations, “Anambra tax law prescribes one per cent penalty every day when tax payment elapses.”

Dr Nzekwu warned against paying levies or taxes to any union or association as the AIRS is the only duly constituted body approved by the state on the matter of taxes and levy collection.  “I`m advising every taxable people and business in Anambra that AIRS does not have cash dealings. So nobody should pay money to any individual, union or association in the name of taxes or levies. Doing so is at their detriment. Any payment to the state government should be through banks using the Anambra State Social Service Identification (ANSSID) number which doubles as tax number of ndi Anambra.”

Dr Nzekwu frowned at people assaulting the agency staff or duly appointed agents carrying out their duty. “There is no need why people should beat up a revenue officer for carrying out their civic responsibility. Consequences follow such acts,” he said.