The Executive Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Folarin Ogunsanwo, has disclosed that the state is about to further expand its tax net, even as he advocated for willful compliance by Lagosians with tax payment and remittances as against tax audit.

Ogunsanwo, who was speaking at a meeting with LIRS management and staff, said that willful compliance will allow the channeling of the much needed human resources into areas of growth and development.

The LIRS Chairman stated that the agency was prepared to expand the tax net by attracting other taxable Lagosians, an act he said will ultimately lead to increase in the internally generated revenue of the state.

He emphasised that this would also allow the Akinwumi Ambode administration have access to needed funds to fulfill electioneering campaign promises.

Ogunsanwo enjoined Lagosians to cooperate and support the State Government by paying their taxes regularly as their own part of the social contract with the government.

The Chairman maintained that the LIRS, under his leadership, is ready to deliver on the promise of increase in the IGR as well as ensure prompt remittance of all taxes to the coffers of government in order to cushion the effects of shortfall in federal allocation due to the global crash in crude oil price.

He pointed out that there is an urgent need to leverage on Information and Communication Technology to improve tax collection, saying that this would ease the collection process, reduce cost and eliminate some perceived bottlenecks.

Ogunsanwo also implored the management and staff of the agency to rededicate themselves to their official duties and responsibilities, while enlisting their support and cooperation in the quest to deliver on their mandate.

•Photo shows LIRS Executive Chairman, Folarin Ogunsanwo.

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