In furtherance of his administration’s efforts in cushioning the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residents of Enugu State, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has granted tax relief and incentive to taxpayers in the state.
The governor’s decision was contained in a statement by the Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Emeka Odo.
Odo noted that: “The Enugu State Government has since the inception of the current administration, in May 2015, waived the payment of Personal Income Tax as well as Market Tax, for all traders in the major markets of the state”.
The Chairman added that the waiver “which is part of the administration’s pro-poor policies” is still in force and will be sustained till the end of the tenure.
Other COVID-19 tax relief and incentive approved by Ugwuanyi, according to Odo, are as follows: “The deadline for the submission of Form A for employees and Annual Returns in accordance with Section 41 (3) and 81 (1-3) of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2011 as amended for companies and institutions operating in Enugu State has been extended to 30th July, 2020.
“A waiver of penalty and interest charged for late remittance of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) deductions is hereby granted from January to December 2020 for all sectors. A 50 per cent discount on all assessed Capital Gains Tax (CGT) from now till December 2020. A 50 per cent discount to all Personal Income Tax Assessment issued to owners of Schools and Hotels for Year 2020.
“A 50 per cent discount of all assessed Land Use Charge payment for Year 2020. This discount will expire on December 31, 2020. A waiver of penalty and interest on Land Use Charge for Years 2018 and 2019 once payment is made before December 2020”.
The Chairman stated that “all our esteemed taxpayers are encouraged to obtain their Enugu State Social Benefit Number (ESBN) as it remains the unique identity prerequisite for obtaining electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (e-TCC)”, stressing that “ESBN is free”.
