The South East Zone of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) has acknowledged ongoing revenue reforms in Asia state, and explained why the tribunal was established to the state government.
The TAT delegation comprised of the Chairman of the Zone, Barr. Chukwuemeka Eze; three Commissioners: Ide John Udeagbala, Mr. Ogar, Francis Obri, and Barr. (Mrs.) Anne Chinyere Akwiwu as well as the Secretary of the Zone, Barr. (Mrs.) Uche Ukuta.
The delegation, who paid a working visit to the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and his team, at Isiala-Ngwa, Abia State.
The visitors had explained to the Otti, and his tam that the tribunal’s establishment, purpose, vision, its activities including the provisions in the new TAT Rules of 2021, which provides for e-filing, resolution of a tax dispute through documents-only procedure, duration of conclusion of tax disputes within six months, among other changes.
The delegation was well received by the Governor and his team, among who are the Secretary to the State Government, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, the Chief of Staff, and the Technical Adviser to the Governor.
Governor Otti said that his government’s strategy towards taxation is to administer it with a human face.
He stated that he does not subscribe to a system where touts chase after business owners in the guise of revenue generation. He stated that his government’s approach has started yielding dividend following the rise in revenue after the initial decrease when the policy was initially implemented. He promised that his government will find ways to collaborate with the Tribunal in tangential areas.
The delegation presented the Governor with a set of three volumes of the Tax Appeal Tribunal Law Reports and a set of three booklets of the TAT Rules, 2021. Ide John Udeagbala, who is also the Mayor of Aba, on behalf of the delegation, gave the vote of thanks, after which group photograghs were taken for the record.
