COVID-19: Makinde Provides Tax Relief Packages To Private Businesses To Cushion Economic Effects

By Henry Odeh

In a bid to cushion the effect of Covid-19 pandemic on companies and businesses,Oyo state government has reeled our tax relief measures for tax stakeholders in the state.

The state Commissioner for Finance,Mr Akinola Ojo disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Monday at the Western hall of the state house of assembly complex, Ibadan.

At the press briefing which was tagged “Implementation of Tax Compliance Relief programme for Individual tax payers in Oyo”, Mr Ojo said the relief became imperative as Oyo state government could not fold its arm and allow the pandemic take toll on the people.

Mr Ojo explained that the state having studied the effect of Covid-19 in the formal and informal sector has extended deadline for filling of annual returns for individual tax payers including self employed persons from 1st April to August, 2020.

The commissioner added that waivers of penalties and interest for employers have also been granted in the primary sector of the economy for those who file returns on or before 31 August.

Mr Ojo while speaking on the cut in the tax revenues due to Covid-19, said the state targeted N6.2billion monthly to fulfill its responsibilities, maintaining that the Seyi Makinde led government is committed to good governance in the state.

The commissioner urged tax payers in the state to take advantage of the tax reliefs and pay their taxes, levies, rates, fees and charges due to the state within the period of the relief.

Top government functionaries at the event include chairman, Oyo state Internal revenue Service, Aremo John Adeleke, the state Accountant General, Alhaji Gafar Bello and representative of companies and businesses in the state.