The Taraba State Internal Revenue Service has cautioned residents and business operators against remitting taxes into personal bank accounts, stressing that all tax payments should only be made through officially designated government channels.
Speaking in Jalingo on Thursday during a statewide awareness campaign on recent tax reform measures, the Chairman of the Taraba State Internal Revenue Service, Brig. Gen. Jeremiah Faransa (retd.), emphasized the importance of adhering to approved payment procedures.
The sensitisation programme, which attracted traders’ groups, market women, banking professionals, and other key stakeholders, was aimed at informing taxpayers about the new tax regulations and promoting voluntary compliance with the law.
Faransa said the exercise was aimed at strengthening public confidence in the state’s revenue system and ensuring proper understanding of the ongoing tax reforms.
“No individual is authorised to collect taxes on behalf of the government through private accounts. Taxpayers should only use approved payment channels and deal with authorised revenue officers.
“We will not tolerate any act capable of undermining the state’s revenue system. Anyone caught defrauding the government through illegal tax collection or diversion of revenue will face the full weight of the law,” Faransa said.
Faransa urged residents to embrace the reforms, stressing that taxation was essential for development and public service delivery.
He added that the state government remained committed to ensuring transparency in the management of revenue generated for infrastructure and other public needs.
Some participants at the campaign described the exercise as timely, saying it would help curb illegal tax collection and improve compliance among taxpayers.
