No January 1 deadline for Tax ID registration in Akwa Ibom – AKIRS Chairman

The Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Okon Okon, has clarified that January 1 is not the deadline for residents to obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN), urging the public to ignore reports suggesting otherwise.

Okon made the clarification while reacting to growing concerns among residents and business owners over alleged penalties for failure to register before the said date. He described the information as misleading and not in line with the policy of the state government.

According to him, the ongoing tax identification and enumeration exercise is designed to expand the state’s tax base, promote voluntary compliance and improve revenue administration, rather than to intimidate or penalise taxpayers.

“The exercise is continuous, and there is no January 1 deadline for obtaining a tax ID,” Okon said, adding that the revenue service is focused on awareness creation and stakeholder engagement.

He encouraged eligible individuals, traders and corporate organisations operating within Akwa Ibom State to take advantage of the process to regularise their tax status, noting that taxes play a critical role in funding infrastructure and social services.

The AKIRS chairman further assured residents that the service would continue to provide accessible registration platforms and timely information, while advising the public to rely on official AKIRS channels for accurate updates on tax-related matters.