By Erewunmi Peace

The Oyo State Government has debunked reports claiming that it plans to impose taxes on weddings, burials, and other social events across the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Oyo State Internal Revenue Service (OYIRS), the government described the viral information as false and misleading, urging residents to disregard it.

According to the agency, no directive or policy exists requiring residents to pay taxes for organising social functions such as weddings, naming ceremonies, or burials. It added that the purported tax notice circulating online did not originate from the government and lacked all official identifiers, including the agency’s revenue code, the signature of the OYIRS Chairman, and the correct official address.

“The Oyo State Government has not introduced any tax on social events. Members of the public are advised to ignore such rumours and verify any information from official channels,” the statement read in part.

The OYIRS also cautioned individuals and media platforms against spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic among residents.

The clarification comes after a viral post claimed that the state government had introduced a new tax policy targeting social gatherings — a report that sparked widespread reactions online.

The government, however, reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in revenue generation and encouraged residents to seek accurate information through the state’s official communication platforms.