Official discusses KGIRS rebates and encourages prompt voluntary land use charge payments.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
KOGI State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) has announced rebates for property owners who have received Land Use Charge Demand Notice urging prompt voluntary payment.
Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of KGIRS, announced the rebates on Monday in Lokoja while having a chat with newsmen on the significance of Land Use Charge and early payment of the tax.
He said the Land Use Charge introduced by the government was aimed at eliminating the burden of multiple taxation, provision of a more streamlined and efficient system and as a measure for citizens to fulfil their tax obligations to the State.
Dr Enehe urged property owners that have received them enjoy Use Charge (LUC) Demand Notice to pay as soon as possible to enable them enjoy early payment incentives.
“Payment within 5 days of receipt of Demand Notice attracts 15% discount while payment within 15 days of receipt of demand notice has 10% discount and payment within 25 days of receipt of Demand Notice also has 5% discount to encourage prompt payment of the LUC.
“Payment can be made in all bank branches across the State as well as Kogi State Revenue POS Agents”, he stated.
He assured that government would continue to use the revenue for infrastructure development, maintenance of the environment, and provision of adequate security for the State.
While re-emphasising the significance of the tax, the Executive Chairman, KGIRS, said “The Land Use Charge offers several benefits.
The benefits, according to Dr Enehe, include accurate assessment of property values for taxation purposes, Identification and registration of property in the State.
Others are allocation of land for government projects and social amenities, Employment opportunities for enumerators from the District, and Creation of a reliable database on the property makeup of the State to inform decision-making.
“The tax obligation section of the Land Use Charge focuses on property used for lease and commercial purposes.
He pointed out that there are however, exemptions, including Property owned and occupied by religious bodies for public worship or education, Public cemeteries and burial grounds,
“Others are non-profit educational institutions and public libraries, palaces of recognised traditional rulers, community property like town-halls used for community meetings, and Property owned and occupied by pensioners”, Enehe stated.
