Katsina State Government has said that its proposed new tax law will help boost its revenue and improve security.
According to the proposed new law, residents of Katsina State will pay N2,000 annual development levy each while cattle owners will also also pay N500 on each cow annually.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Faruk Jobe told the BBC that “Apart from revenue, the taxes will help us improve security in our state as we wan use the plan to get full data of people and cows.
“For example, a person’s that owns 20 cows this year cannot have 40 in one year naturally or else he must explain how to reduce cattle rustling.”
As for married women, only those earning salary will pay the levy, while those with no income are exempted. Every other person that has reached 18 years will pay.
“This tax law will come into effect hopefully by end of the year.”
He said the governor “has the power to start immediately but we want the state assembly to give it legal backing so dat when next government comes in, they have to continue.”
The commissioner added that the lawmakers will help come up with the appropriate sanction for those who fail to pay.
“Not just those who fail to pay, even those who collect and fail to remit to the government, the assembly will help us determine the sanctions.”
He said the amount is not too much for people to pay.
