EKIRS Assures Taxpayers of Fairness, Transparency, Urges Dialogue on Assessments

The Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to fair, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly administration, urging residents to embrace dialogue in resolving concerns over tax assessments.

The Executive Chairman of EKIRS, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, gave this assurance on Thursday during a media parley in Ado-Ekiti, explaining that recently issued Notices of Assessment were meant only to inform taxpayers of their liabilities for the 2024 and 2025 tax years and should not be interpreted as enforcement actions.

Olatona said the notices were issued in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which grants taxpayers the right to challenge assessments through written objections submitted to the relevant tax authority within 30 days of receiving such notices. 

He added that the law requires tax authorities to respond to objections within 90 days, and assured taxpayers that the Service remains committed to reviewing genuine complaints, including cases where taxpayers face challenges meeting procedural requirements.

He stated that the state's internally generated revenue is now stronger and more stable than at any other time in its history, despite a reduction in tax enforcement activities, noting that this improved performance demonstrated that the state had built a sustainable tax administration system driven by voluntary compliance rather than coercion.

"Our responsibility is not to punish taxpayers but to ensure fairness. Where there is verifiable evidence that an assessment is excessive, necessary adjustments will be made. We are more interested in helping businesses grow, because thriving businesses ultimately translate into sustainable revenue for government," he said.

The EKIRS Chairman advised taxpayers with concerns over their assessments to visit the Service's offices for clarification rather than resort to misinformation or public confrontation.

He attributed variations in some recent assessments to improved data intelligence and the implementation of the new tax administration framework, which allows the Service to assess taxpayers based on more reliable information about their actual income and business activities. Olatona explained that some increases in assessments — including cases where amounts rose from about N80,000 to N180,000 — were based on verified data reflecting taxpayers' overall income and business interests, rather than previous estimates.

He stressed that EKIRS's objective was to widen the tax base by bringing more eligible taxpayers into the system, rather than raising tax rates or introducing new taxes. The Chairman disclosed that the Service would continue deploying technology and data intelligence to identify previously untaxed incomes, while complying with relevant data protection regulations.

The Chairman expressed confidence that EKIRS would surpass its internally set revenue target of over N3 billion before the end of the year, citing improved compliance and increased taxpayer participation.

Olatona clarified that revenues collected by EKIRS are paid directly into government coffers and not retained by the agency, adding that expenditure from such funds is subject to appropriation by the State House of Assembly. He also explained that personal income tax falls within the purview of state governments, while other taxes are administered by the appropriate levels of government in accordance with extant laws.

On tax harmonisation, the EKIRS boss said the Service was collaborating with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Local Government Councils, to introduce a central billing system aimed at reducing multiple collections and simplifying tax payment processes.

He said EKIRS had intensified taxpayer education through engagement with market associations, landlords' associations, religious organisations, and other stakeholders to promote awareness and voluntary compliance, and encouraged market associations to engage tax consultants to help members understand tax laws, resolve disputes, and maintain proper financial records.

Olatona appreciated taxpayers for their cooperation, assuring residents that the Service would continue to adopt professionalism, dialogue, and legal compliance in carrying out its responsibilities. 

He maintained that EKIRS remains committed to building a fair and sustainable revenue system that supports economic growth while ensuring every taxpayer contributes an equitable share to the development of Ekiti State.