The Delta State Internal Revenue Service has warned taxpayers and businesses against paying taxes to individuals using fake demand notices to collect money in the name of the state government.
The Chairman of the service, Solomon Ighrakpata, issued the warning in a statement on Tuesday, saying the illegal collections could lead to revenue losses for the state and financial losses for taxpayers.
Ighrakpata said no individual or unauthorised agent had been approved to issue tax demand notices or collect taxes on behalf of the DSIRS outside its recognised channels.
He urged taxpayers to verify the authenticity of tax assessments, demand notices and payment requests before making payments.
“ The DSIRS wishes to categorically state that it has not authorised any individual or unauthorised agent to issue tax demand notices or collect taxes on its behalf outside established and approved channels,” he said.
The chairman advised taxpayers to make payments only through officially approved government channels and report suspicious demands or persons claiming to represent the revenue service.
He said the DSIRS was working with law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those involved in impersonation, fake tax notices and illegal revenue collection.
Ighrakpata warned that the activities could weaken public confidence in the tax system and divert funds meant for government projects and public services.
He assured taxpayers that the service would continue to strengthen its revenue collection system and promote transparent and accountable tax administration.
