In its drive to improve the revenue base of Ogun State through expansion of its tax net, the State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has called for collaboration with the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) in the area of implementing residency rule in taxation and also rub minds on other areas that could be harnessed for mutual benefit of the two states.

The Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Olugbenga Olaleye, who led his team on a courtesy call to Revenue House in Ikeja, Lagos, explained that there was need for the two states to come together and reconcile the data of workers that reside in Ogun State but work in Lagos State for their taxes to be remitted to appropriate tax authority.

Olaleye noted that Internal Revenue Services were basically driven by residency rule and when states that shared boundaries like Ogun/Lagos come together periodically to discuss issues and reconcile records, which supposed to end in win-win for the two states, saying, ‘’when things are okay with states, it would transform to national development’’.

While appreciating LIRS for their readiness to always cooperate with OGIRS, he pointed out that the two states should leverage on the Lagos/ Ogun Development Commission earlier set up to improve their revenue base by sharing useful information.

The OGIRS Boss explained further that LIRS having gone ahead in the digital economy as it relates to taxation should not hesitate to put his staff through as this would also impact revenue generation in his state positively.

In his response, LIRS Executive Chairman, Mr Ayodele Subair appreciated the visit and noted that for LIRS, Residency rule had always been reckoned with and taxes due were always remitted as expected.

He noted that challenges encountered in the digital economy was not limited to Ogun State but all states had stories to tell, saying LIRS though ahead, had not been able to overcome challenges faced in the digital economy as efforts were still on to ensure success.

The LIRS Boss pledged his Agency's readiness to always collaborate and support OGIRS to ensure that both Ogun and Lagos States' tax net were expanded for improved revenue generation.