Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has disclosed that his administration’s tax reform policy is not targeted at burdening citizens of the State but to promote fairness and balance
Speaking at a-three-day stakeholders engagement on the implementation of the new tax law in Osun State held at the Centre for Black Culture, Osogbo on Tuesday, the Governor said his administration recognized the fact that tax is a major revenue earner for government but the reform reduces pain on the populace.
Adeleke, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, emphasised that reform is targeted at bringing more informal sector operators into the tax net with a view to raising fund to provide more social services.
“This retreat is timely and necessary as the New Tax Acts are not designed to place undue burden on citizens or businesses. Rather, they are intended to promote fairness, expand the tax net, improve compliance and strengthen Osun State’s revenue base through transparency, efficiency and digital innovation.
“Our approach to tax reform is deliberate and people-centred. The new framework is pro-business and investor-friendly. It recognises the role of small and medium-scale enterprises in driving growth and job creation. It also provides a structured pathway for bringing the informal sector into the formal economy in a gradual manner that is fair and supportive.
“At the same time, we are mindful of the need to protect low-income earners. The law provides for reliefs, exemptions and reduced rates where applicable. Our goal is balance. We seek to grow revenue without harming livelihoods and to build compliance without eroding trust”, he said.
Also, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax and Revenue Affairs, Engr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe said the engagement was targeted at enlightening public workers, citizens and business owners in the State on the provision of the new tax law and also know their responsibilities to the government.
He charged residents and business owners to steer clear effort to evade tax, saying the new tax law already protect poor and low income earners.
Also, the acting Executive Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service, Solanke Hamzat disclosed that the new tax law is pro masses, saying everyone qualified for exemption would not be exploited.
He, therefore, charged residents of the State to take compliance seriously, not just in the interest of the State but for the future generations that would require infrastructure development for their well-being.
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