Tambuwal signs N164bn 2020 revised budget

Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal has signed a revised 2020 appropriation bill of N164 billion.

He also approved tax relief for businesses and suspension of levies for taxpayers to cushion effects COVID-19 pandemic.

While signing the revised Appropriation Bill document before the commencement of the State Executive Council meeting, Tambuwal expressed satisfaction “with the new document which went through the mandatory legislative procedures.”

The previous appropriation document was N202,345,425,942.68.

Briefing reporters shortly after the Exco meeting, Commissioner for Finance, Abdussamad Dasuki, said the government also provided tax reliefs and incentives for taxpayers and businesses to cushion the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on residents and businesses operating in the state.

Dasuki disclosed that electronic payment platforms had been introduced to ease payment.

“The state government has also suspended the annual tax audit exercise for educational and entertainment sectors from March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2020,” he said.

The Commissioner explained the government extended the collection of land use charges for residential and commercial properties in the state from March 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020.

Dasuki also disclosed the government has suspended the imposition of presumptive tax levied on all businesses operating in the informal sectors from April 1, 2020, till December 31, 2020.

Other levies suspended, according to the Commissioner, including the payment of N100 state development levy imposed on every taxable person for the year 2020 and payment and deduction of water rates from the incomes of public servants, the public sector and private individuals in the state for two months (April to May 2020).

Also waived, he added, are 50% charge on fees and levies collectible across the state from March 1, 2020, till January 2021.