The Taraba State governor, Arc. Darius Ishaku, on Monday approved tax relief measures to ease the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on citizens and businesses in the state.
The state Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Jesse Ashumate, who announced the measures at a press conference in Jalingo, said that the Taraba State government was conscious of the threat of COVID-19 on businesses, organisations and individuals and approved the measures to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
The measures, according to the commissioner include; extension of timeline for filing withholding tax return from 21st day to the last working day of the month following the month of deduction.
Others are” “50 percent reduction on personal income tax, PIT, of informal sector taxpayers made before 31st December, 2020.
“Use of electronic platforms for payment of taxes and processing of tax clearance certificate as well as automatic discharge of vehicles update arrears beyond one year of expiration ending 31st December, 2020.
“Automatic waiver of 50 percent arrears volume on back duty assessment before September 2020.
“Allow installment payment on tax due to informal sector taxpayers into agreed segment of deferral settlement programme.”
The commissioner added that waiver has been granted for late filing of returns for penalty for taxpayers whose return are submitted after 30th June, 2020.
This is even as he said desk reviews and tax audit request information will be communicated through electronic mail.
Ashumate noted that Governor Ishaku approved the measures in line with global realities, adding that “countries like United Kingdom, United States and even the Federal Government have given such incentives to their citizens and the Taraba State government cannot be left out.”
