Anambra government owed N513.9 billion in unpaid taxes – Official

The Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) said it will begin enforcing payment of all unpaid tax bills in the state beginning April 1.

Richard Madiebo, the new president of AIRS, disclosed this in a statement by Sylvia Tochukwu-Ngige, Deputy Director/Team Leader for Taxpayer Education and Enlightenment, to Awka on Tuesday.

Mr Madiebo said the app would include social bills, including signage and waste management.

NAN reported that outgoing AIRS Chairman David Nzekwu revealed that the state government has an unpaid bill of 513.9 billion naira payable by as many as 2.1 million taxpayers.

Mr Nzekwu said the amount was recorded in the database under the Anambra Social Service Identity (ANSSID) number.

“We generated a total bill to collect of 513.9 billion naira in January 2022 against 2.1 million taxpayers in the state.

“That means if my successor can get people in debt to pay this bill, and they start paying, the government will have a lot of money,” the former president said.

Mr. Madiebo urged Anambra residents to verify their status on the ANSSID portal and thereafter proceed with the relevant filing and payment actions.

He said those who have not yet paid should go to the nearest commercial bank with their ANSSID number to pay their taxes and/or levies.

“The AIRS enforcement team will enforce the payment of taxes and levies, including business premises licensing, waste management, signage and fire service compliance.

“Anambra residents are urged by this announcement to check their ANSSID status to confirm if they have paid.

“They can go to any commercial bank of their choice using their ANSSID number to pay,” Mr Madiebo said.

He advised payers not to leave the payment point with proof of payment only, but to make sure the money had landed in Anambra’s government account.

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“Be a partner in the development Governor Charles Soludo brings to us, please pay your tax,” the AIRS boss urged residents.

Mr. Madiebo, who was appointed President of AIRS on March 21, holds a BA and MBA from the Universities of Calabar and Lagos respectively.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and the Nigeria Institute of Management, and has over 25 years of tax and tax administration experience.

Mr. Madiebo has completed various executive courses at Harvard Business School, Wharton and Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management, USA.

(NOPE)