By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state on Wednesday said he will not implement the presumptive tax bill passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly, saying the there’s hunger in the land.
The governor who said although, he will sign the bill into law, the situation across the country will make the implementation add more to the hardship and pain of the people.
The governor spoke in a remark at the ground breaking ceremony of the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan.
The governor, who noted that the people were hungry and angry as a result of the current economic reality in the country, noted that the bill was not ripe for now as it would inflict more pains on the poor masses in the state.
He said “Anything that will put money in the pocket of the people is what I am interested in so they can use on where the shoe pinches. At this time, I’m not interested in whatever policy that will empty their pockets. I’ll continue to fight poverty and not fight the poor.”
Makinde, who declared his stand on the bill, while acknowledging the presence of the speaker of the Oyo assembly, Hon Debo Ogundoyin at the event however commended the assembly for the initiative which is aimed at jacking up the internally generated revenue of the state.
Recall that, the Oyo State House of Assembly, last week Thursday passed into law the State Presumptive Tax Bill, 2023, which provides for the imposition, administration, and collection of presumptive tax on individuals and entities whose income cannot be ascertained due to lack of financial records.
Businesses captured for various presumptive tax rates include artists and sign writers, barbers, bricklayers, carpenters, grinding mills, gas refilling depots, hairdressers, horticulturists, photographers, plank sellers, plumbers, welders, mechanics, block makers, saw millers, book stores, typing studios.
Under the section of the law titled: “Oyo State Negotiated Presumptive Tax Rate,” owners of adult wear (boutique) are liable to pay a minimum of N10,000 yearly and maximum of N50,000; Barbers will pay from N3,000 to N10,000, Artists and sign writers will pay from N5,000 to N50,000, Bicycle repairers will pay between N2,000 and N10,000, Bookshop/stationary stores to pay a minimum of N10,000 and maximum of N20,000, Bricklayers to pay from N10,000 to N30,000, Sellers of building materials to pay from N15,000 to N50,000, Furniture makers to pay N25,000 to N40,000, Carpenters are to pay between N10,000 and N35,000, Gas refilling sellers to pay between N25,000 and N45,000 and Photographers to pay between N2,000 and N5,000.
Also, Plumbers will pay between N2,000 and N10,000, Welders to pay from N5,000 to N20,000, Fruit sellers to pay from N1,000 to N5000; Sales and Repairs of handset, between N2,500 and N4,000, Shoemakers to pay between N500 and N2,000, Laundry to pay from N1,000 to N2,500, Block makers to pay between N15,000 and N25,000, Vulcanisers to pay from N2,500 and N7,500, Mechanic/welder/rewire are to pay between N1,500 and N5,000, and Plank sellers between N2,500 and N10,000.
According to the passed bill, a taxable person who fails or neglects to make payment of the tax due shall be liable to pay the sum and a penalty equal to 10 per cent per annum while those who maintain up-to-date records and file returns within the stipulated period shall be granted a rebate of two percent of the tax payable.
As contained in the law, persons subject to presumptive tax shall file returns on or before 90 days from the commencement of each year, while upon payment of all tax assessments, the taxable persons shall be issued a Tax Clearance Certificate.
