The Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) has urged labour unions to desist from pressuring employers into partial or non-compliance with relevant tax laws.
The service said such practices often affect both employees and employers, particularly in the processing of Tax Clearance Certificates and the creation of avoidable tax liabilities.
The EKIRS Director of Personal Income Tax, Mr Joseph Olorunfemi, made the appeal on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti during separate courtesy visits by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti Chapter, and representatives of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti (FETHI).
Olorunfemi stressed the need for a proper understanding of legal obligations under the tax system, describing partial compliance as a breach of the law.
He said that every eligible taxpayer must file annual tax returns, regardless of whether their employer had made filings on their behalf.
He commended the ASUP delegation for its understanding of tax laws and assured it of EKIRS’ continued collaboration to promote full compliance.
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According to him, the service, under its Executive Chairman, Mr Olaniran Olatona, remains committed to strict adherence to tax laws in line with public expectations.
Also speaking, the Director of Finance and Corporate Services, Mr Ibukun Ajayi, advised labour unions and employers to work together in fulfilling their tax obligations, noting that there was no shortcut to compliance.
The Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Wasiu Mohammed, called on organisations to ensure effective communication with the service to minimise delays and discrepancies under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.
In his remarks, the Head of PAYE Department, Mr Emmanuel Akinleye, urged taxpayers to take advantage of the remaining days in April to file their annual returns and seek assistance from EKIRS where necessary.
Responding, the ASUP Chairman, Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Engr. Caleb Adeosun, and a tax officer with FETHI, Mrs Banks, commended EKIRS for its engagement and pledged to mobilise members toward full compliance with tax obligations.
Also present were the Director of New Growth Areas and Other Taxes, Mrs Sade Daramola, and the Director, Tax Intelligence, Audit and Data Analytics, Mrs Yemisi Akin-Babalola.
Others included the ASUP Treasurer, Dr Y.D. Lamidi, Welfare Officer, Mr Valentine Adesanya, and FETHI tax officers, Mr O.C. Ogunrinde and Mrs G.O. Edwards.