M

Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) in collaboration with Market Leaders/Traders Forum has organized an interactive session on the collection of personal income tax (PIT).

In the session held at the Governor’s office annex, Uyo had in attendance the Executive Chairman of AKIRS, Mr. Okon Okon, who was represented by the Director of Assessment in the Board Mrs. Esther Umoessien.

In his address, the AKIRS boss described the event as a remarkable one as it offered an opportunity for all parties and stakeholders in the sector to interact with one another thereby leading to co-operation to achieve one goal which is revenue generation for the state.

The Executive Chairman reiterated the benefits of paying tax explaining that everything provided by the government starting from good roads to constant power supply, free education, scholarships, security, and a lot more are all benefits of paying tax.

He further stated the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has done tremendously in ensuring the state is safe and peaceful while promising to negotiate with traders on what would be charged as PIT and assured that collection would be done peacefully.

The Executive Chairman also called on all traders to abide by all the laws concerning taxes thereby supporting the government and the government would in turn support traders by giving loans, providing security and facilities in the market.

On her part, the director, informal sector Mrs. Idoreyin William affirmed that income earners, marketers, and traders are all required under the law to pay taxes to enable government serve the masses better.

Present at the session was the S.A to the governor on Trade Matters, Akparawa Idoreyin Raphael, who thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for the numerous loans and grants to the tune of 3 billion, given to traders to support their businesses.

He stated that Personal Income Tax should be a welcome development as these taxes would further enable the government to fix facilities in all the markets and continue to support traders through loans and grants.

At the event, leaders of various market unions in the state thanked the Governor for the tax relief during the COVID-19 lockdown and also for peace and security at the market premises. They also appealed for loans and grants to create a buffer and enable traders to continue in their businesses.

Meanwhile, sensitization on Personal Income Tax is set to commence on Monday 29th March, 2021 across the state.