COVID-19: Benue Tax Agency Digitalises Services For Ease Of Business

BY OSBERT TOR-NAJIME, MAKURDI – The Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) said as part measures aimed at curtailing difficulties being experienced by taxpayers, it has fully digitalised all tax services in the State.
This is as the agency also announced that Governor Samuel Ortom has granted a waiver of 50 per cent on land related fees and charges.
It said that by the newly introduced arrangements, taxpayers can now access services through electronic means and therefore assured of best service delivery through same process.
A statement by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Mr. Andrew Ayabam noted that with the COVID-19 pandemic, the BIRS is aware that it would be difficult for taxpayers to engage in physical or manual tax processes thus the need to fully digitalized its tax processes
Ayabam listed the aspects that are fully digitalised to include, Electronic Taxpayer Registration; Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC); Electronic Filing of Returns and Electronic Payment of taxes.
He said the agency has also extended the filing of Annual Returns for Individuals in business from March 31, 2020 to May 31, 2020, adding that it has provided dedicated e-mails address to be used by taxpayers and tax practitioners during the COVID-19 period as channel of communication.
Ayabam further said; “We have also engage in online sensitization campaign for taxpayers on the importance of the use of e-platforms for transactions.
“During this period, the Service has considered the lockdown period and granted exception to taxpayers that are unable to file their objection to tax assessment within the statutory period.
“Staff are advised to continue to see themselves as being on duty wherever they are, by keeping their communication lines open and being in readiness to give directive as often as may become necessary,” he said.