Benue Petroleum Dealers  Assured Of Tax Friendly Environment

The Executive Chairman of Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Mimi Adzape- Orubibi has called on Petroleum Dealers in the state to liaise with the Service in payment of taxes, pledging a friendly tax environment suitable for smooth business operations.

Orubibi made the call at the BIRS Headquarters during a courtesy visit by the Executives of the Petroleum Dealers Association in Makurdi, the state capital.

She stated that the state government is against multiple taxations and has continued to ensure that multiplicity of taxes is completely eradicated.

While empathising with the association, she noted the harsh economic situation in the country with which they have to run their business.

The Chairman of the Association, John Apeh said they were at the revenue house to present to the Executive Chairman and her management issues affecting members of the association.

Apeh expressed worry over the increase in taxes on renewal of business premises, environmental development charges, economic development levy, fire service charge, signage, toxic emission charge among others, as well as multiple taxation.

The Revenue Boss while responding to the issues raised by the Petroleum Dealers Association said taxation is a law and the state revenue law is a domestication of the federal law which can not be contested in court.

She advised the association not to tour the path of litigation as it will be an exercise in futility.

Orubibi asserted that taxation is the law and the mandate of BIRS is to Assess, Collect and Remit the same to the government.

She said the rates are legal and in the interest of business owners as the issue of multiple taxes has been dealt with.

She informed the association that "with the recent amendment of the state revenue law, most of the revenue items have been harmonized, as taxpayers will not have to pay the same revenue to the state and local government, but the state shall collect on the contended revenue items and give back to the local governments a percentage in real time."

She assured them of her willingness to continue using a human face to approach tax matters and called on the Petroleum Dealers to approach the service with their complaints and suggestions which she assures them will be considered.