In an effort to drive revenue and encourage taxable adults in Ogun State to be Tax compliant, newly admitted students into the State Tertiary Institutions were expected to present their parents Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) or evidence of payment of tax as part of admission processes.
The Chairman, Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) Mr Olugbenga Olaleye said this in his office at Abeokuta while reacting to some misguided information going round among students that OGIRS was asking students to pay tax.
Olaleye, through his Media Aide, Mrs. Bolanle Ogunlami, stated that no students of tertiary institutions in the State were expecting to pay taxes as they were not yet taxable adult, noting that the law expected only taxable adults earning income to pay taxes as and when due.
“In fact, it has come to fore that some unscrupulous elements are peddling misguided information about taxes, but no student in our tertiary institutions is expected to pay taxes as they are not yet taxable adult, the state doesn’t permit that, it is only taxable adults earning income are expected to pay taxes,” Olaleye said
He explained further that for those whose parents do not have evidence of tax payment or Tax Clearance Certificate, the sum of N10,000 is only charged in the name of the parents as payment in lieu of TCC for the assessment year. Such payment according to him would be recognized and credited in favour of the parent in their fund or future assessment.
The revenue agency boss enjoined all residents of the state to imbibe the culture of prompt payment of their taxes as this would enable the government carry out its social responsibilities as expected.