AiRS Organizes Joint Tax Enlightenment Program in Collaboration with CITN.
In a bid to deepen conversation on tax awareness and enlightenment in Anambra State, the management of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service AiRS yesterday Tuesday 16, April 2024 held a one-day interactive session on tax awareness and enlightenment. The event which was in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria CITN was held at Bon-Hotels Smith City Awka Anambra State.
The theme of the program was; “Formalizing the Informal Sector; The Economic Benefits” with Barr. B.O Austine Ngozika FCTI (Immediate Past Chairman, Ikeja and District Society of CITN and member, Policy and Information Faculty, CITN) was the Chairman/moderator of the interactive session.
The lead paper presenter, Nzekwu Sullivan Akachukwu Nwankpo (Former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Technical Matters) in his paper presentation x-rayed the activities of the formal and informal sectors vis-a-vis the economic situation, the challenges of tax compliance, the benefits of formalization and as well proferred meaningful suggestions and strategies on what the AiRS will do in order to effectively formalize the informal Sector. Some of the strategies which include;
* Promote entrepreneurs and simplify registration processes.
* Simplify tax laws and offer tax breaks and incentives
* Provide support services and raise tax awareness
* Targeted incentives, labour laws and coperate social responsibility, Tax mediation amongst others.
In his opening remark, the Chairman/Chief Executive Anambra State Internal Revenue Service AiRS, *Dr Greg Ezeilo FCA ACTI* stated that tax payment is a statutory obligation of every citizen, adding that the AiRS under his leadership is taking that bold step to begin the formalization of the informal Sector, hence the tax enlightenment program.
Also addressing the audience as part of the discussants, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR on IGR Technical, Mrs Oyeka Amara Kate FCA FCTI talked about making the tax registration (ASIN registration) process seamless while emphasizing on the on the technological contributions of the AiRS Solution provider, *Oasis Management Technologies* in making sure that the informal Sector are been taxed electronically. She also talked about the plan to flag off new seamless technological innovations for revenue collections on transport operators in the State to be called *Trans-Pay*, newly created AiRS customer care department and increase in tax awareness as part of the efforts towards Formalizing the Informal Sector.
Highpoints of the event was the award presentation to the AiRS Chairman, Dr Greg Ezeilo FCA ACTI for his giant strides in revenue administration and collection in Anambra State by the Vice President CITN, *Mr Innocent Ohagwa who represented the CITN president. Mr Samuel Agbeluyi MNI, FCTI.
Members of the session/discussants are; Prince Ikenna Umezulike, Lady Ngozi Monica Okonkwo (former Ag, Anambra State),Mr Nweke Clement Ubaka (Chairman CITN Awka District and Society).
The Executive Director in charge of Direct Assessment AiRS, *Mr Ben Anierobi Okafor MBA FCA* gave a closing remark at the end of the event.
Other dignitaries present at the events are; Chief of Staff to Gov Soludo, Mr Ernest Ezeajughi, Dr Chukwudi Okoli (Current Ag, Anambra State), Mr Ayodeji Adeyemi (Head, Research and Professional Standard, CITN) amongst others.
#TaxMattersAnambra
Emeh Pascal O
For: Taxpayer Education and Enlightenment Team (TEET) AiRS.
