The Chairman of the Edo Inland Revenue Service, John Odior, has stated that many Nigerians prioritize giving financial gifts to general overseers over fulfilling their civic duty of paying taxes, despite regulatory compliance issues.
Speaking on a radio programme in Benin City on Friday morning, Odior emphasized that citizens who fail to pay taxes lack the moral ground to demand accountability from the government.
While clarifying that he is not opposed to individuals supporting religious bodies or leaders, Odior stressed that tax obligations must come first so that governments at all levels can fund public infrastructure and fulfill statutory duties.
”People prefer to give to ‘Daddy G.O.s’ and others rather than pay taxes. I am not against giving to Daddy G.O.s; what I am saying is that people should see tax as a priority,” according to the government official.
He said: “Any money that moves from one place to another, we must first check if it carries tax elements. If the tax element is not removed, anywhere we see it, we must first remove it.”
Odior noted that while churches and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in humanitarian services are exempt from corporate income tax—alongside citizens earning below the national minimum wage—religious leaders are still required by law to pay personal income tax.
”The salaries pastors collect, they are supposed to pay taxes on them,” Odior explained that “If you say that you are exempt from paying tax on offerings and tithes, it is because the law views the offerings and tithes paid in church as having already suffered taxation at the individual level”.
He noted however, that churches are still legally required to file their annual tax returns with the government.
Highlighting recent improvements within the agency, Odior stated that the Edo Inland Revenue Service has streamlined the tax payment and clearance process through digital innovations.
The tax Chief charged taxable residents in the State on tax compliance, stressing, “Edo is shining. Akpakomiza is working. Your tax is working. Pay your taxes.”
