From Nahum Sule, Jalingo
The Taraba State Internal Revenue Service has warned residents and business owners against paying taxes into private accounts, insisting that all tax payments must be made through approved government channels.
The Chairman of the Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (retd.), gave the warning on Thursday in Jalingo during a statewide sensitisation campaign on new tax reform initiatives.
The campaign, which brought together traders’ associations, market women, bankers and other stakeholders, was organised to educate taxpayers on the provisions of the new tax laws and encourage voluntary compliance.
Faransa said the exercise was aimed at strengthening public confidence in the state’s revenue system and ensuring proper understanding of the ongoing tax reforms.
He warned that no individual was authorised to collect taxes on behalf of the government through private accounts.
“No individual is authorised to collect taxes on behalf of the government through private accounts. Taxpayers should only use approved payment channels and deal with authorised revenue officers.
“We will not tolerate any act capable of undermining the state’s revenue system. Anyone caught defrauding the government through illegal tax collection or diversion of revenue will face the full weight of the law,” Faransa said.