EKIRS Assures Traders of Fair Review of 2025 Tax Assessments

The Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) has assured traders across the state that concerns arising from the recent issuance of 2025 Notices of Assessment will receive fair, lawful and prompt consideration.

The assurance followed concerns raised by some traders over what they described as high tax assessments and levies, prompting a meeting with the Ewi-in-Council at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti on Thursday.

Following the meeting, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe, delegated one of his chiefs, Mr Ishola Awelewa, along with other stakeholders, to accompany representatives of the traders to the EKIRS headquarters in Ado-Ekiti for further engagement.

Receiving the delegation, the Executive Chairman of EKIRS, Mr Olaniran Olatona, accompanied by directors of the service, commended the monarch for his fatherly intervention and commitment to resolving the issues through dialogue.

Olatona dismissed claims that the administration of Gov. Biodun Oyebanji was pursuing excessive taxation, stressing that the governor does not interfere in the statutory operations of the revenue service. 

He said EKIRS remained committed to administering tax laws fairly while promoting an enabling environment for businesses and economic growth.

The Chairman explained that a Notice of Assessment was not the final determination of a taxpayer's liability, noting that the law gives every taxpayer the right to file a formal objection where they believe an assessment does not reflect their correct tax position.

He urged taxpayers to take advantage of the legal channels provided for review rather than resorting to protests, assuring them that every objection would be considered objectively and in accordance with the law.

Olatona further assured the traders that all issues raised during the engagement would be carefully reviewed with a view to reaching lawful and mutually acceptable resolutions. 

He also pledged that the service would organise a sensitisation programme for traders on business growth and expansion at a date to be agreed with their representatives.

The traders expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting and agreed that further engagements would continue to address outstanding concerns and strengthen the cordial relationship between them and the revenue service.