Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) on Wednesday organised a tax education and awareness workshop among stakeholders as a measure to reduce the high level of non-compliance in the state.
The workshop had stakeholders such as business owners, professional bodies, ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), civil society organizations and individual taxpayers, among others, in attendance.
Speaking at the workshop, titled, Enhancing tax compliance through stakeholder sensitization and engagement, the executive chairman of the agency, Shade Omoniyi, said that tax compliance had remained a significant hurdle to meeting revenue targets.
The KWIRS boss, who said that taxation is the lifeblood of any economy, added that “It is through the faithful payment of taxes that government can provide critical infrastructure, quality education, healthcare and other essential public services.”
She said that the workshop was designed to address some of the pressing issues surrounding tax compliance and to provide practical insights for all stakeholders, adding that addressing the challenge of non-compliance requires deliberate strategies, collaboration and continuous stakeholder dialogue.
Omoniyi explained that the journey toward enhanced tax compliance is a collective one, saying that the agency is committed to creating an enabling environment where taxpayers feel supported and valued.
She appealed to businesses/individuals to ensure that tax returns are filed within the time allowable by law, just as she urged them to declare all sources of income for appropriate assessment and pay all tax dues on income within the time allowable by law.
“Let us embrace the culture of voluntary compliance; engage in constructive dialogue to address challenges; and utilize the resources and platforms provided by the Service. Together, let us build a future where tax compliance is not just a legal obligation but a shared responsibility for the greater good of our society.”
The KWIRS boss said that the workshop, which was put on hold was being brought back as a result of identified continuous gaps in knowledge and the new tax reforms.
“This gathering is a reflection of our shared commitment to foster a tax system that is transparent, efficient, and inclusive—a system that ensures sustainable growth and development for our state,” she said.
Some of the key topics at the event include harmonised bills and other taxes collectable by the service, implications of non-compliance, practical guide on filing annual returns (corporate and individual), payment options and processes, withholding tax regulation 2024, and new tax reforms bill in Nigeria.
In his presentation, titled, Implications of non-compliance, the HOD, Corporate Planning of the agency, Muhammed Audu, said that non-compliance causes risk to the government, in the form of pressure on the government, loss of revenue, increase in debt etc.
Audu, who warned that there is no longer a hiding place for tax defaulters in Kwara state, said, “No hiding place for tax defaulters again in Kwara. We have your record. We have the power to ask banks for your bank statement but we respect you so much and that’s why we ask you to bring your bank statement. There’s punishment for tax defaulters or declaration of false statements. Please, always provide us the true situation of your income to avoid punishment.
“We want to reduce the level of non-compliance, thus the need to discuss with taxpayers. We don’t want to be tyrannical, and that’s why you have been invited for discussion. So, we urge you to voluntarily be self-compliant, or else you incur more expenses.
“Tax compliance is still low in Kwara State as some taxable adults and businesses still try to evade tax payment.”
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