JALINGO, TARABA STATE
The Taraba State Internal Revenue Service (TIRS) has issued a strong warning to residents, business owners, and taxpayers across the state to avoid making tax payments into private bank accounts, stressing that all government taxes must be paid only through officially approved channels.
The Chairman of the Taraba State Board of Internal Revenue Service, Brigadier General Jeremiah Aliyu Faransa (Rtd.), gave the warning on Thursday during a statewide sensitisation campaign held in Jalingo to educate citizens on the state's new tax reform initiatives.
Addressing traders, market women, bankers, business operators, and other stakeholders, Faransa explained that the awareness campaign was designed to improve public understanding of the ongoing tax reforms and encourage voluntary compliance with tax obligations.
He cautioned that no individual has been authorised to collect taxes on behalf of the Taraba State Government through personal or private accounts.
"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," Faransa stated.
The revenue board chairman warned that the government would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the state's revenue system through illegal tax collection or diversion of public funds.
"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," he added.
Faransa further urged residents to embrace the ongoing reforms, noting that taxation remains a critical tool for development, infrastructure delivery, and the provision of essential public services.
He assured citizens that the Taraba State Government remains committed to transparency and accountability in the management of internally generated revenue for the benefit of the people.
Participants at the sensitisation exercise described the initiative as timely, expressing optimism that it would help curb the activities of fake tax collectors and improve taxpayers' confidence in the state's revenue administration.
Twisdic Info Insight: The warning serves as a reminder for taxpayers to verify payment channels before making any tax transactions. Residents are advised to request official receipts and report suspicious individuals claiming to collect taxes through private accounts.