The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to curb tax evasion by high profile individuals in the country, it was learnt on Tuesday.
FIRS Head of Audit, Mr. Ajayi Adepoju, described tax evasion as a “serious economic crime” that must be tackled by all relevant stakeholders to enable government generate revenue to meet the needs of the people.
Adepoju, who spoke on Tuesday while featuring on a media chat organised by the Voice 89.9 FM Chapel of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti State Council, said the federal tax agency enlisted the support of the EFCC to ensure that all taxable individuals pay what is due to the government coffers within the ambit of the law.
Those who fail to comply, he said, would be prosecuted in consonance with the extant laws – no matter how highly placed.
Adepoju said the FIRS achieved the highest revenue generation drive of N5.32 trillion in 2018 under the leadership of its Executive Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler.
He urged the Ekiti State Government to look more inward in boosting its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), saying “very little as little can only be achieved with reliance on federal allocation”.
Adepoju said the need to look inward to boost the state’s tax profile was necessary in view of the low receipts from the Federation Account.
He also advised state government to massively develop the agricultural sector and explore the mineral deposits in the state.
