The Chairman of the Delta State Internal Revenue Service (DSIRS), Hon (Chief) Solomon Ighrakpata, has raised the alarm over the increasing proliferation of fake demand notices and fraudulent tax documents being issued to unsuspecting members of the public by unscrupulous individuals.
He warned the public to be wary of the stress.
In a statement issued on Tuesday. the Chairman said the activities of the fraudsters who purport to act on behalf of the Service are intended to defraud taxpayers and divert monies meant for government revenue.
Hon. Ighrakpata stated that the fraudulent issuance of demand notices constitutes a serious criminal offence capable of undermining public confidence in the state’s tax administration system.
“The DSIRS wishes to categorically state that it has not authorized any individual or unauthorized agent to issue tax demand notices or collect taxes on its behalf outside established and approved channels”, he said.
The DSIRS Chairman therefore advised taxpayers to exercise due diligence and verify the authenticity of any tax demand notice, assessment, payment request or other correspondence purportedly issued by the Service.
Hon Ighrakpata urged members of the public to make payments only through officially approved government channels and to report any suspicious demand notice or individual claiming to be an authorized tax official to the Service for immediate verification.
According to him, “The DSIRS is collaborating with the appropriate law enforcement authorities to identify, apprehend and prosecute persons involved in the issuance of fake demand notices, impersonation of tax officials, fraudulent collection of taxes and other related activities. The Service will pursue such cases to the fullest extent permitted by law”.
The Chairman warned that individuals and groups engaged in the fraudulent activities should be aware that their actions result in revenue leakages to government, financial losses to taxpayers and disruption of the state’s revenue administration.
He assured the taxpaying public that legitimate taxes paid to the Delta State Government are critical to the provision of public infrastructure and essential services, adding that every effort is being made to protect the integrity of the state’s revenue collection system.
Ighrakpata called on all taxpayers, businesses and members of the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with the Service in the fight against tax fraud and revenue diversion.
He also advised that for verification of any tax demand notice or related correspondence, taxpayers should contact the DSIRS through its official communication channels before making any payment, reiterating the Service’s commitment to a transparent, accountable, efficient and credible tax administration system.
