Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has signed a bill establishing the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KSIRS) into law.

The new law authorises the agency to collect and manage revenue on behalf of state government and local councils.

Speaking after signing the new law in his office, the state governor said the agency was a corporate body with the sole responsibility for effective collection and management of state and local council revenue.

He said KSIRS would not impose fresh taxes on individuals and businesses in the state. The agency is authorised to assess and enforce payment of due taxes, levies, fees, and charges in the state,” Ahmed said.

The governor added that the new law also established a state joint revenue committee with the responsibility to harmonise tax administration in the state and deal with revenue matters of common interest to state and government authorities.

The new law repealed the edict establishing the State Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Ahmed also announced the establishment of revenue court to try tax defaulters and evaders as well as any individual or business organisation that refuses to comply with the provision of the law.

He said the staff of the defunct BIR had an option of remaining in KSIRS, transferring their service to core civil service or leaving the service.