We eliminated tax leakages, corrupt practices in IGR – KADIRS Chair

From:Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr Jerry Adams, said they haveeliminated all tax leakages and corrupt practices, where the state tops 5th in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection in Nigeria.
Adams said this on Sartuday at the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Kaduna & District Society’s 2023 annual tax week dinner.
The theme of the Annual Tax Week was “Taxation: A Panacea to Economic Growth and Development”.
Adams, represented by Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, said that KADIRS has enthroned an exemplary record in the collection of taxes.
According to him, taxation is the most elastic and dependable source of government revenue, adding that in the contemporary period, taxes are not limited to the quantum of money collected but used for the growth and development of the national economy.
The Executive Chairman therefore said taxation is now an instrument of fiscal policy used to accelerate economic growth through the functions of allocation of resources, income redistribution through poverty eradication, and provision of public goods like education, health, and infrastructure, and stabilisation.
He commended the immediate past administration of Kaduna for laying the groundwork and the present administration for consolidating and building on those gains which made Kaduna stand out in the IGR collection.
He also commended the selfless and relentless efforts of the staff of KADIRS in the performance of their official duties.
Earlier, the Auditor General of Kaduna State, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi, said taxation is not just about collecting revenue.
He said it is about creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, attracting investments, and providing equal public services to citizens.
He advocated for the dynamism of the tax system, adding that it would keep pace with the changing economic and technological landscape.
“We must strive for simplicity, transparency, and fairness in our tax policies, minimizing the burden on taxpayers while maximizing revenue for national development. To achieve this, collaboration and cooperation between the Government, tax professionals, and taxpayers are paramount.
“By working together, we can create a tax system that encourages voluntary compliance, reduces tax evasion, and fosters a culture of tax payment as a civic duty,” Abdullahi said.
He acknowledged the hard work and dedication of tax professionals who tirelessly navigate the complexities of tax laws, advise individuals and businesses, contribute to the growth of the country, and ensure compliance with tax regulations.