Kano govt suspends 10% statutory tax payment for private schools

The Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (KSPVIB) has directed all private and voluntary educational institutions in the state to suspend payment of the statutory 10 per cent tax for the First Term of the 2026/2027 academic session pending the issuance of fresh assessment notices.

The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Board’s Director of Special Duties, Mustapha Badawi Yahya, on behalf of the Executive Secretary.

According to the circular, the previous tax assessment, which covered the period from September 2003 to September 2026, expired at the end of the Third Term of the 2025/2026 academic session on July 31, 2026, alongside the operating licences previously issued to private and voluntary educational institutions.

The Board explained that a new licensing cycle would commence in September 2026, making it necessary to carry out a fresh assessment of schools before determining the statutory tax payable for the new academic session.

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It noted that the existing assessment no longer reflects the current student population in many schools, as some institutions have recorded significant increases in enrolment while others have experienced declines

According to KSPVIB, relying on the outdated assessment would not provide a fair and accurate basis for computing the statutory 10 per cent tax for the 2026/2027 academic session.

To address the situation, the Board announced plans to conduct a comprehensive data collection, audit and verification exercise across all private and voluntary educational institutions in Kano State immediately after schools resume.

The exercise, it said, would establish the actual student enrolment of each institution and form the basis for issuing new assessment notices to accredited and verified schools.

Consequently, the Board directed all private schools to refrain from making any payment of the statutory 10 per cent tax until they receive the new assessment notices.

KSPVIB also called on proprietors and school administrators to cooperate fully with its officials during the exercise by providing accurate enrolment records and other relevant information as required under the provisions of the Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board Law.

The Board stated that the verification exercise would be conducted across all 44 local government areas of the state to ensure transparency, fairness and equity in the tax assessment process.

It further warned that only duly authorised officials carrying valid identity cards would be permitted to undertake the data collection exercise.

According to the circular, all information gathered during the exercise must be verified and endorsed by the principal, head teacher, proprietor, proprietress or any other officer duly authorised by the school management before submission to the Board.

KSPVIB reassured stakeholders that the exercise is aimed at ensuring a transparent and equitable assessment process that reflects the actual enrolment figures of schools while promoting compliance with the laws regulating private and voluntary educational institutions in Kano State.