By Charles Ayodele
The Chairman, Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Olaniran Olatona has appealed to protesting printers, shop owners and other traders to bear with the agency over alleged exorbitant taxes.
Olatona who made the appeal in his office in Ado-Ekiti, while addressing journalists after a visit to the shop owners at Ojudo area of the state capital, assured them that as customers of the agency, their grievances will be addressed for the sustenance of their businesses and means of livelihood.
“We still regard them as our customers and we are not in the business of fighting them. If we charge them high taxes and their businesses collapse, who are we going to tax next year.” The Chairman explained that it is in the ease of doing business in Ekiti State that the agency is promoting.
He further remarked that the protesters should understand that it is in the interest of the agency for their businesses to keep on growing, adding that, “we have invited their leaders again to come because battles never end if you don’t come round the conference table and discuss, and that is what they will eventually do “.
The EKSIRS boss clarifies more on Best of Judgment Assessment: “The protests centred on application of the Best of Judgment (BOJ) assessment which is adjudged arbitrary. “While we recognize the right of citizens to express their views, it is crucial to clarify that BOJ assessments are a lawful and necessary measure to ensure tax compliance and fairness in the state’s revenue administration.
“BOJ assessments are applied only in cases where taxpayers fail to submit accurate and complete financial records as required by law. This legal last resort approach aligns with globally accepted tax practices and helps ensure that all eligible taxpayers contribute fairly to Ekiti State’s economic development.
“We wish to emphasize the following key points:
-Taxpayers Have the Right to Object within 30 days of receiving assessment
Any taxpayer who disagrees with a BOJ assessment has the right to object and provide supporting financial records for a review.
-The EKIRS remains open to dialogue and fair resolution of disputes through appropriate channels.
Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement
-The EKIRS is committed to working with business owners, professionals, and industry groups to ensure that tax compliance is simple, transparent, and fair.
-A special stakeholder engagement forum will be organized to address concerns, clarify misconceptions, and improve tax compliance processes.
He appreciated the media for what he called balanced journalism, stressing that the EKIRS remains available to provide verified information to journalists, ensuring that reports are fact-based and constructive.
