The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) has launched a revenue mobilisation drive, warning individuals, businesses, and corporate organisations with outstanding tax liabilities to regularise their accounts or face statutory enforcement. This move follows the expiration of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration and Tax Regularisation Scheme (VAIDS) on September 5. The scheme provided taxpayers with an opportunity to voluntarily regularise outstanding tax obligations and benefit from applicable concessions.
According to AIRS Executive Chairman, Ikeazor Okonkwo, the enforcement became necessary as some taxpayers failed to regularise their liabilities during the VAIDS window, while others received Best of Judgment assessments but failed to object to or settle them within the prescribed period. Affected taxpayers could face measures provided under the law, including the issuance of final statutory demand notices, sealing of premises where applicable, recovery of outstanding liabilities through lawful enforcement procedures, and prosecution or court action in cases involving established tax offences.
Okonkwo disclosed that about 500,000 taxpayers had already been captured in the state’s database, while the agency is targeting an additional 500,000 taxpayers in the coming months, bringing the projected database to about one million taxpayers. The enforcement process would be largely digital, with minimal human and physical interaction, and taxpayers had been adequately notified through media campaigns, jingles, church announcements, market sensitisation, and public address systems.
The AIRS chairman also disclosed that the agency was establishing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism to provide taxpayers with genuine objections to assessments an avenue to present and resolve their complaints. This move aims to provide taxpayers with a platform to address any genuine concerns they may have. Okonkwo stressed that the agency’s objective was not merely to increase revenue but to establish a sustainable culture of tax compliance in the state.
Okonkwo explained that the agency had spent its first six months on education, engagement, and taxpayer enlightenment, while also using available data to identify areas of significant non-compliance. Taxpayers who had already complied were expected to maintain their compliance, while those who had received assessments and had valid objections could approach the agency for review. Taxpayers who had no valid objections were expected to settle their liabilities and regularise their tax affairs.
The AIRS chairman urged taxpayers seeking clarification or further information to contact the agency through its website, tax.services.an.gov.ng, email addresses [email protected] and [email protected] , or customer service lines 07066727750, 09053234816, 08083066051, and 08178070000. He also stressed that every citizen was expected to file appropriate tax returns and declare income from wages, rental properties, investments, and other businesses before making the required tax payments.
Okonkwo said AIRS had compiled the list of people who had not complied, and was working through the legal advice on how enforcement would be carried out. The agency aims to change the culture of tax compliance in the state, and taxpayers who had already complied were expected to maintain their compliance. The enforcement process is expected to be fair and transparent, with the agency providing taxpayers with opportunities to regularise their tax affairs.
Key points
- AIRS targets one million taxpayers in its database.
- The agency is establishing an alternative dispute resolution mechanism for taxpayers with genuine objections.
- Taxpayers who fail to regularise their tax affairs could face statutory enforcement, including prosecution or court action.
