The Rivers Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) on Monday, warned that companies and individuals in the state have till January 31 and March 31 2019, respectively to file their annual returns, even as it stressed that tax evasion was a criminal offence.
Mr. Adoage Norteh, Chairman of RIRS, at a briefing with journalists in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, further stated that from January 2019, it would be impossible to file annual returns without being registered on the Rivers State Tax Management Information System (RIVTAMIS) and paying all taxes accordingly.
He, therefore, posited that the era when files were just dumped on their tables was gone, as the revenue body would check records to be sure all relevant taxes have been paid and that all information supplied was correct.
According to him, the RIVTAMIS platform was so versatile that receipts for tax payments could be obtained online, which would, in turn, be used to process tax clearance and file annual returns.
Continuing, he warned members of the public and corporate organisations not to patronise quacks and those posing as staff of the agency, while noting that they have a system of authenticating receipts.
Norteh, however, emphasised that the revenue agency was more interested in voluntary compliance to tax payments, rather than forcing people to perform their civic obligations.
“Every tax payer should go and register. Those who have registered should check to be sure their records are correct, while those who have not should go and register. It is free and it takes only a few minutes to register.
“Do not patronise quacks, we are making tax practice more organised and we are constantly improving our effectiveness and efficiency. Tax evasion is criminal and someone can be sent to prison for it.”
“RIVTAMIS” will fish out anyone who is evading tax. If there are backlogs, it must be paid. Time to evade tax will end with 2018 and if you owe, you must pay for it,” he maintained.
While warning members of the public to be wary of tax administrators claiming to be from RIRS and particularly ask for their identity cards to be produced, he disclosed that there were no extra charges after paying tax.
“We will never ask for money, you will always pay to bank. If anybody from RIRS asks for money, treat him as a tout. The Rivers State government is concerned about ease of tax payment and we are working continuously to ensure that.
“Enforcement is a last resort; there is higher level of compliance now. We want to make tax practice in Rivers State a reference point from next year,” he stressed.
