The Sokoto State Government has approved tax reliefs and incentives for taxpayers and businesses to as part of measures to cushion COVID-19 Pandemic effect on the state.
Alhaji Abdussamad Dasuki, Commissioner for Finance, explained in a statement issued on Friday by Mr Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Gov. Aminu Tambuwal that the government also suspended the imposition of presumpives tax levied.
Part of the statement read:“This is on all businesses operating in the informal sectors from April to Dec. 31.
“The state government has introduced electronic payment platforms where taxpayers can pay their taxes from the comfort of their homes and offices with less exposure to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In addition, the government has also suspended the annual tax audit exercise for educational and entertainment sectors from March 1 to Aug. 31,” the commissioner said.
He further said that the govenment had extended the collection of land use charge for residential and commercial property in the state from March 1, to Sept. 30.
“In the same vein, the deadline for businesses to file their 2019 annual tax returns has been extended from March 1, to Sept. 30.
“Moreover, the penalty on late filling of 2020 annual returns for all businesses operating in the state have been suspended until Sept. 30,” Dasuki added.
He further said that the waived penalty and interest charges on late filling and remittance of monthly Pay As You Earn (PAYE) has equally been waived from March 1, to Dec. 31.
The commissioner added that the government suspended the payment of N100 state development levy imposed on every taxable person.
“Also suspended is the payment and deduction of water rates from the incomes of public servants, the public sector and private individuals in the state for April and May.
“The government also waived 50 per cent charge on fees and levies collectable across the state from March 1, 2020 to January 2021.
“This gestures are opportunities provided to the general public to stimulate optimum utilisation of economic resources.
“However, in return, all beneficiaries are expected to adhere to safety guidelines and regulations on COVID-19 pandemic, as stipulated by the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal had before the beginning of the state executive council meeting assented to a revised 2020 Appropriation Bill amounting to over N164.39 billion.
With the development, the earlier appropriation document of over N202.35 billion was scaled down to meet up with the current realities of the state economy.
