By Daniel Obagha :
Anambra industrialists resident outside Anambra State have been urged to bring back the headquarters of their companies and businesses to the state to assist in the development of the state.
The Acting Director and Head of Department of High Networth Individuals (HNI) at the Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AIRS), Mrs Juliet Nwakpudolu made this appeal at her office while speaking with newsmen.
Mrs Nwakpudolu said that many industrialists and high networth business men from Anambra were not resident in the state.
“Some of them are outside Nigeria, some are in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu and they are paying their taxes there .
“So in line with the think home policy of our Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, we appeal to them to if possible change their address on their shares so that whatever they realise from them will be paid to Anambra State Government.
“We also appeal to them to bring back home the headquarters of their companies and businesses so that all their PAYE and withholding taxes will all be paid in Anambra in order to assist the state,” she said.
The acting director explained that many owners of companies and businesses do not keep proper records of their books to tell what they realised in a year and that they always complain of double taxation because they pay income taxes where they reside.
“Since many of them don’t reside in Anambra, each time we send them letter of invitation and/or assessment letter they complain that they pay taxes at where they reside and that paying in Anambra will amount to double taxation.
“So we also send those that pay letters of appreciation while appealing to those that don’t pay to pay so that they will assist in the development of the state,” she explained.
The head of the HNI said that her office was a special tax assessment unit at AIRS that targets big businessmen in Anambra State.
“Our office is not for ordinary people. Our targets are contractors, owners of industries, expatriates, people that use money to pursue money and even our governor and his deputy. Those are the kind of people we meet.”
Mrs Nwakpudolu said that through the help of Anambra State Identification Number (ASIN), her office has brought in many HNIs into the tax net.
*Daniel is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State