By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the globe, the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has posted a total Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of N26.9bn for the year 2021.

According to a statement by the Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Mrs Shade Omoniyi, the total IGR generated for the year 2021 represents 95.61 percent achievement of the Agency’s annual budgetary target of N28bn.

The feat, KWIRS boss said, is the highest target hit since the Agency was established in 2016.

Mrs Omoniyi noted that the year 2021 started on a good note with an IGR collection of N9.6bn in the first quarter, which was the highest in the history of the Agency since its establishment without introduction of new taxes and or any extraordinary item.

She said: “The revenue collection across board dipped in quarters 2, 3, and 4 of 2021, owing to challenges associated with general apathy in the adoption of some newly introduced revenue collection processes, non-remittance, as well as the seasonal collections.

“However, year 2021 had a remarkable revenue achievement of N26,9bn, an improvement of 37.34 percent over the total IGR of N19.6bn generated in the year 2020.

“This achievement is attributable to the gradual recovery of the economy after the pandemic, continuous consolidation, and digitisation of all revenue lines of the State, both of which are helping to reduce revenue loss, leakages, and diversion of revenues that should accrue to the State Government.

“The Agency is not relenting in its efforts of provision of seamless tax administration, continuous tax advocacy through various mass media platforms and stakeholders’ engagement to ensure tax compliance, prompt payment and remittance of tax arrears, eradication of under deductions and non-remittance of taxes due on income.”

She said the Agency would in 2022 focus on consolidation of the digitisation process, which aims at achieving taxpayers’ convenience, adding that some of the Agency’s major structural improvements include the Self-Service Portal where taxpayers could perform basic tasks in the comfort of their locations, such as request for Kwara Residence Identification Number (KRIN), remittance of PAYE, request and printing of Tax Clearance Certificate and request Citizenship Certificate, among others.

Aside broadening the Tax Net and making IGR Collection Seamless in the Informal Sector, Mrs Omoniyi said several initiatives introduced at the State capital would be taken to all the Local Government Areas “with our continuous expansion of operations to all Local Government Areas and the recruitment and deployment of additional 100 staff for improved efficiency at the grassroots.”

Mrs Omoniyi assured that as the year 2022 progresses, KW-IRS would continue to establish more profitable partnerships and effective work relationships with all stakeholders for smooth revenue administration and strategic development of the State, adding that the Agency would strengthen all efforts towards revenue generation, hinging the Agency’s performance on expertise, refined processes, and new technology, with vision to outclass its peers in the country.

“The Service remains committed to improving its processes, promoting collective work ethics, and seamless provision of tax administration for the growth of Kwara State IGR,” Omoniyiadded.

The KW-IRS boss therefore charged all business owners in the State to register their businesses with the KW-IRS, ensure tax returns are done within the time allowable by law, declare all sources of income for appropriate assessment, and pay all that is due on income as tax within stipulated time, while urging the Agency’s staff, stakeholders, taxpayers, and partners to stay safe always and abide by all Covid-19 safety protocols.

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