Edo rakes in N21b internal revenue in 11 months.

Edo state’s internally generated revenue hit N21 billion between January and November this year, according to Oseni Elamah, executive chairman of of Edo State Internal Revenue Services (EIRS).

Elamah said this yesterday in Benin while briefing journalists on the objectives of the 50% waivers granted tax defaulters in the state by the state government.

According to him, "The essence of the waiver was to encourage and empower those already in the tax net to be able to pay their outstanding taxes

"It is also to ensure that those who are not already in the tax net to key into the system by reducing their financial burden to support government with taxes to provide the necessary revenue to function and deliver efficient services to our people,” he said.

With a population of 4.2 million in Edo, only around 165,486 pay tax—that less than 10% of the state’s entire population.

More than 500,000 people who earn income do not pay taxes.

“The record of the revenue generated by the agency from January to date with the exception of the month of November amounted to about N21 billion in 2016.we are talking of December we just has our account and we are still trying to reconcile that of last month of November. So far we have collected about N21 billion," he said.

While giving the breakdown of debts owed the state by various tax defaulters, he noted that N2.74 billion is owed by federal government agencies and department, N1.6 billion on consumption tax and land use charges while  over N800million are withholding taxes by banks.

He urged the people to visit any of its offices to get the tax identification number after being captured which he said would prevent them from paying double tax and support the government in meeting it obligation to the citizens.

EIRS boss added that the tax identification number, especially for the informal sector would guide against harassment by illegal group operating on the guise of collecting tax for government.

He however advised the people to pay their taxes through the bank, as government is no longer collecting cash and that those demanding cash are doing illegal work.