A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland …...Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler led other members of the JTB and FIRS staff

A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

January - March, 2018 ISSN: 2006-9677

2015 2016 2017 2018

FIRS collectsN1.171b in 2018first quarter...highest since 2013

lFIRS, EFCC partner to track tax defaulters as VAIDS ends

NEWS

02 A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service January - March, 2018

efore the opening ceremony, the

BExecutive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler led other members of the JTB and FIRS staff on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in

Osogbo.In his welcome address, the

Governor said, “We recognise my friend, Tunde Fowler before anyone. I thank you warmly as well as the Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah. We must commend all the chairmen here present for heading this most vital of

government organs in your respective states.“What we have in Nigeria is an aberration.

Humans have known the essence of taxation for 6000 years before the birth of Christ.

“We are not saying anything new. Public service is not possible without tax. Oil will not be marketable anymore as a commodity in the next 30 years. We have to find alternative sources of

Rauf Aregbesola receives JTB members

By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Executive Chairman presenting a copy of the book 'Buhari A New Beginning' to the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola

NEWS

03January - March, 2018 A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

revenue and you must try to find alternative sources of revenue in your respective states.

“The JTB must change a few things. Everyone who earns an income should pay tax. Nothing diminishes a man in a society as a person who does not pay his fair share of taxes. As long as you are working, you must be ready to pay your share in taxes in order for the government to provide the social services needed by the people.”

Responding to the Governor, Tunde Fowler ththanked him for hosting the 140 meeting of the

JTB and recalled the very important role the Governor played in tax revenue generation when Fowler was the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.

Fowler continued, “Any country whose tax-to-GDP ratio is below 15% cannot provide meaningful development for its people. Our target is to fall in the 25% range, if not this year, then certainly in the coming year.

“It is time to tell Nigerians to do the right thing. It is time to take Nigeria back to the days

when things worked. With the time we have spent in Osun we will take back many things that will help us improve on internally generated revenue.

“During the reign of Czar Peter the Great of Russia people paid taxes on almost everything. But to his credit, he spent that money judiciously for the greater good of Russia. We, as tax administrators, have a strong sense of responsibility and we are dedicated to service, to provide excellent customer service.”

As a sign of appreciation Fowler presented the Governor with a plaque

thto thank him for hosting the 140 meeting of the JTB. He also promised to leave no stone unturned in order to change the financial profile of the country for the good of the people and for the good of generations yet unborn.

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni

Elamah who spoke on behalf of the JTB members told the Governor that “We have a unique and noble responsibility to serve. Members of the JTB will definitely honour you in the JTB Hall of Fame.

“Tunde Fowler has demonstrated that what is achievable in Lagos can be achieved nationwide. The JTB is a professional body. We will say what is right and give credence to it. If we take only what the Governor has said today we would surely have gone away with something very useful.”

Before proceeding to the opening ceremony of the JTB meeting Governor Aregbesola presented a coin bearing the insignia of the state to the Executive Chairman. He said that the coin was given to visitors as a sign of the deep appreciation for the important work that they do.

,,The JTB must change a few things. Everyone who earns an income should pay tax. Nothing diminishes a man in a society as a person who does not pay his fair share of taxes. As long as you are working, you must be ready to pay your share in taxes in order for the government to provide the social services needed by the people.

The Executive Chairman, the Governor of Osun State and the Secretary of JTB stand for the national anthem in Osogbo Government House

By Umar Yusuf Usman

NEWS


efore the opening ceremony, the

BExecutive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler led other members of the JTB and FIRS staff on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola at the Government House in

Osogbo.In his welcome address, the

Governor said, “We recognise my friend, Tunde Fowler before anyone. I thank you warmly as well as the Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah. We must commend all the chairmen here present for heading this most vital of

government organs in your respective states.“What we have in Nigeria is an aberration.

Humans have known the essence of taxation for 6000 years before the birth of Christ.

“We are not saying anything new. Public service is not possible without tax. Oil will not be marketable anymore as a commodity in the next 30 years. We have to find alternative sources of

Rauf Aregbesola receives JTB members

By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Executive Chairman presenting a copy of the book 'Buhari A New Beginning' to the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola

NEWS


revenue and you must try to find alternative sources of revenue in your respective states.

“The JTB must change a few things. Everyone who earns an income should pay tax. Nothing diminishes a man in a society as a person who does not pay his fair share of taxes. As long as you are working, you must be ready to pay your share in taxes in order for the government to provide the social services needed by the people.”

Responding to the Governor, Tunde Fowler ththanked him for hosting the 140 meeting of the

JTB and recalled the very important role the Governor played in tax revenue generation when Fowler was the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.

Fowler continued, “Any country whose tax-to-GDP ratio is below 15% cannot provide meaningful development for its people. Our target is to fall in the 25% range, if not this year, then certainly in the coming year.

“It is time to tell Nigerians to do the right thing. It is time to take Nigeria back to the days

when things worked. With the time we have spent in Osun we will take back many things that will help us improve on internally generated revenue.

“During the reign of Czar Peter the Great of Russia people paid taxes on almost everything. But to his credit, he spent that money judiciously for the greater good of Russia. We, as tax administrators, have a strong sense of responsibility and we are dedicated to service, to provide excellent customer service.”

As a sign of appreciation Fowler presented the Governor with a plaque

thto thank him for hosting the 140 meeting of the JTB. He also promised to leave no stone unturned in order to change the financial profile of the country for the good of the people and for the good of generations yet unborn.

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni

Elamah who spoke on behalf of the JTB members told the Governor that “We have a unique and noble responsibility to serve. Members of the JTB will definitely honour you in the JTB Hall of Fame.

“Tunde Fowler has demonstrated that what is achievable in Lagos can be achieved nationwide. The JTB is a professional body. We will say what is right and give credence to it. If we take only what the Governor has said today we would surely have gone away with something very useful.”

Before proceeding to the opening ceremony of the JTB meeting Governor Aregbesola presented a coin bearing the insignia of the state to the Executive Chairman. He said that the coin was given to visitors as a sign of the deep appreciation for the important work that they do.

,,The JTB must change a few things. Everyone who earns an income should pay tax. Nothing diminishes a man in a society as a person who does not pay his fair share of taxes. As long as you are working, you must be ready to pay your share in taxes in order for the government to provide the social services needed by the people.

The Executive Chairman, the Governor of Osun State and the Secretary of JTB stand for the national anthem in Osogbo Government House

By Umar Yusuf Usman

s tax administrators we have a

Astrong sense of responsibility to the nation and we are dedicated to

providing excellent customer service. Our sense of responsibility stems from the fact that the nation is relying on us to provide it with adequate funds with which to fund its development objectives. Moreover, now that we can no longer rely on oil revenue as the major source of funding, we have seek innovative ways to maximise non-oil revenue collection.

In order to maximise non-oil revenue we have to provide our taxpayers with the most convenient, transparent and efficient way to fulfil their tax obligations. This, we have been able to do with the deployment of the six e-Solutions which give taxpayers a platform to conduct their tax transaction 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

As a testament to the efficacy of these tools we have been able to achieve one of the highest collections in the first quarter of any year. The N1.17 trillion tax collection in the first quarter of 2018 is the highest we have collected in comparable periods since 2013. This is a commendable achievement although I always believe that we can do more.

Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio is still one of the lowest in the world and we have to increase this significantly if we are to provide the funds that will give us meaningful development and take the country back to the days when things worked.

We should remember that there are many unemployed youths and it is through taxation that jobs can be provided for them – jobs that will in turn exponentially increase the base net and increase revenue.

We will continue to encourage people to pay their taxes correctly and promptly because it is the only veritable way for government to continue to provide the right environment where business will thrive and is a sure avenue for standards of living to rise.

We have realised over N30 billion from the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). Those who refused to take advantage of this magnanimous gesture of Government will now face the full force of the law. Apart from the opportunity it gave to taxpayers to declare their tax liabilities completely and fully without the fear of being penalised the Government went on to extend the scheme by three months. Therefore, anyone who is henceforth prosecuted according to the law has only themselves to blame. We will not spare those who now continue to be recalcitrant.

If we continue to fulfil our tax obligations Nigeria will surely be great again. It is our hope that with the support of the Presidency, the Minister of Finance, the National Assembly and all other stakeholders, the Federal Inland Revenue Service will be able to fund the country through taxation.

lTunde Fowler

FROM THE

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Taxation willstimulate growth


he various reforms in the Federal Inland Revenue

TService are bearing fruit. This is evidenced in the fact that the Service was able to collect to record

one of the highest collections in the first quarter for a number of years. Indeed, the N1.17 trillion collection of the first quarter of 2018 has been the highest since 2013.

As a mark of this great achievement the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler was given an award by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was also given an award by the institution for her sterling work in revamping and repositioning the country's financial position, especially given the fact that a recession had recently slowed down the economy.

As a passionate tax practitioner who has steered the nation's tax administration through challenging times, the Executive Chairman was interviewed by REO Communications, partners of Time magazine. In the interview he talks about the reforms in the Service, the importance of taxation to national growth and economic revival and the various innovations being brought to bear to make taxation the pivot of national development.

thWe also have reports of the proceedings of the 140 JTB meeting held in the Osun State capital, Osogbo including the courtesy calls on His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife and His Royal Highness, the Ataoja of Osogbo.

The Service recently underwent an assessment of its functions and processes by a team from the International Monetary Fund using the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT). TADAT is a global assessment tool which measures the health and efficacy of a tax administration. The tool is designed to provide an objective and inform assessment of the health of key components of a country's tax administration system, the extent of reforms required to bridge the gap between good practice baselines and actual performance, and the relative priorities where attention is needed.

As usual we have reports on the various interactions with stakeholders and the continuing efforts to foster strong collaborations with them for the enhancement of taxation in the country.

We once again thank all our contributors for making the magazine a success and urge you all to continue to work diligently to entrench taxation as the premier tool for national development.

EDITOR'S NOTE

A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service January - March, 2018

From the Editor

Continuous improvementis our watch-word

Kelechukwu Okoronkwo

Bruke Emeriewen

Ayorinde Aghede

Maureen Ugwa

Abdullahi Ahmed

Nura Ismaila


s tax administrators we have a

Astrong sense of responsibility to the nation and we are dedicated to

providing excellent customer service. Our sense of responsibility stems from the fact that the nation is relying on us to provide it with adequate funds with which to fund its development objectives. Moreover, now that we can no longer rely on oil revenue as the major source of funding, we have seek innovative ways to maximise non-oil revenue collection.

In order to maximise non-oil revenue we have to provide our taxpayers with the most convenient, transparent and efficient way to fulfil their tax obligations. This, we have been able to do with the deployment of the six e-Solutions which give taxpayers a platform to conduct their tax transaction 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

As a testament to the efficacy of these tools we have been able to achieve one of the highest collections in the first quarter of any year. The N1.17 trillion tax collection in the first quarter of 2018 is the highest we have collected in comparable periods since 2013. This is a commendable achievement although I always believe that we can do more.

Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio is still one of the lowest in the world and we have to increase this significantly if we are to provide the funds that will give us meaningful development and take the country back to the days when things worked.

We should remember that there are many unemployed youths and it is through taxation that jobs can be provided for them – jobs that will in turn exponentially increase the base net and increase revenue.

We will continue to encourage people to pay their taxes correctly and promptly because it is the only veritable way for government to continue to provide the right environment where business will thrive and is a sure avenue for standards of living to rise.

We have realised over N30 billion from the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). Those who refused to take advantage of this magnanimous gesture of Government will now face the full force of the law. Apart from the opportunity it gave to taxpayers to declare their tax liabilities completely and fully without the fear of being penalised the Government went on to extend the scheme by three months. Therefore, anyone who is henceforth prosecuted according to the law has only themselves to blame. We will not spare those who now continue to be recalcitrant.

If we continue to fulfil our tax obligations Nigeria will surely be great again. It is our hope that with the support of the Presidency, the Minister of Finance, the National Assembly and all other stakeholders, the Federal Inland Revenue Service will be able to fund the country through taxation.

lTunde Fowler

FROM THE

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

Taxation willstimulate growth


he various reforms in the Federal Inland Revenue

TService are bearing fruit. This is evidenced in the fact that the Service was able to collect to record

one of the highest collections in the first quarter for a number of years. Indeed, the N1.17 trillion collection of the first quarter of 2018 has been the highest since 2013.

As a mark of this great achievement the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler was given an award by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. Furthermore, the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was also given an award by the institution for her sterling work in revamping and repositioning the country's financial position, especially given the fact that a recession had recently slowed down the economy.

As a passionate tax practitioner who has steered the nation's tax administration through challenging times, the Executive Chairman was interviewed by REO Communications, partners of Time magazine. In the interview he talks about the reforms in the Service, the importance of taxation to national growth and economic revival and the various innovations being brought to bear to make taxation the pivot of national development.

thWe also have reports of the proceedings of the 140 JTB meeting held in the Osun State capital, Osogbo including the courtesy calls on His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife and His Royal Highness, the Ataoja of Osogbo.

The Service recently underwent an assessment of its functions and processes by a team from the International Monetary Fund using the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT). TADAT is a global assessment tool which measures the health and efficacy of a tax administration. The tool is designed to provide an objective and inform assessment of the health of key components of a country's tax administration system, the extent of reforms required to bridge the gap between good practice baselines and actual performance, and the relative priorities where attention is needed.

As usual we have reports on the various interactions with stakeholders and the continuing efforts to foster strong collaborations with them for the enhancement of taxation in the country.

We once again thank all our contributors for making the magazine a success and urge you all to continue to work diligently to entrench taxation as the premier tool for national development.

EDITOR'S NOTE

A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service January - March, 2018

From the Editor

Continuous improvementis our watch-word

Kelechukwu Okoronkwo

Bruke Emeriewen

Ayorinde Aghede

Maureen Ugwa

Abdullahi Ahmed

Nura Ismaila



NEWS

mmediately after the courtesy visit to

Ithe Government House the Joint Tax Board (JTB) delegation went to the

Aurora Event Conference Centre to kick-thstart the 140 Joint Tax Board meeting. The

theme for the meeting was “Deepening Internally Generated Revenue Beyond Personal Income Tax”.

After welcoming the members and other invited guests, the acting Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service, Bicci Alli said, “With the collaboration of those in the informal and formal sectors we have been able to change the way and manner we do things. We have amended seven of our revenue laws to enhance tax administration. The Governor always talks about revenue and the need for citizens to pay their taxes. The government of Osun has spread the

message of taxation using Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, and Pidgin in order for everyone to understand the essence of taxation.”

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah then explained that the JTB is an umbrella body of all tax bodies in Nigeria. He stated that it periodically collates data on revenue matters from the states that helped it to enhance revenue collection efforts.

Elamah pointed out that 95% of State Boards of Internal Revenue increased their revenue, including Osun State. Pay-As-You-Earn amounted for over 50% of states' internally generated revenue which informed the theme of the meeting.

“Process automation has increased the number of registered taxpayers. We are consolidating and integrating with the Bank Verification Number and the National Identity Management Commission in order to have a central databank of information.

“The revenue authorities need

administrative and financial autonomy to efficiently go about their business of revenue generation. We need to automate and integrate tax administration that can provide data and information at the touch of a button,” he said.

In his opening remarks the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the JTB, Tunde Fowler said that Osun State was

thhosting the 140 meeting of the JTB at a crucial time when oil as a source of revenue had failed the nation. He vowed that in 2018 tax administrators will not disappoint the nation.

Speaking about Osun State in particular, Fowler said, “Mr Governor has demonstrated his support to the Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) in that it has increased its revenue collection. If it can be done in Osun State it can be done elsewhere. We are sure that Osun State is going to move upwards. When Mr Governor

By Kings Uba

NEWS


leaves at the end of his tenure, he will leave behind a legacy of good works.”

In his address to the tax administrators, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola said, “It is one thing to have an idea and it is another to have someone who can drive that idea. We needed a dedicated professional who could drive that idea and we were fortunate to have found that in Tunde Fowler.

“From a paltry sum N600 million, today Lagos State is approaching N50 billion. I salute Tunde Fowler and all those who succeeded him on their revenue generation efforts in Lagos state.

“I also congratulate those in the OIRS for your increasing revenue collection but I want you to do more.

“Taxes and tax men are hated in every society for the obvious reasons. It is very hard to part with one's hard earned money. No one thanks them for collecting tax. Yet, these are among the most important

people in any society. Without taxes there can be no government.

“Anarchists say that no one should govern them, but without a state we descend to a state worse than animals. The government is the agency of the state that exercises the collective power for everyone. Without taxes there cannot be a state that can exist in harmony and enjoy common services. It has been so from primordial times. Tax is not new. It has been with us for a very long time.

“During the colonial era the ability to pay tax was a mark of manhood. Whoever could not pay his tax could not marry because no one would give them their daughter.

“Taxation is the earliest form of association. The tithes and zakat enables religious institutions to thrive and grow. In all social clubs and other voluntary associations members have to pay annual dues. If they do not they will be expelled.

“The military concentrated on natural resource revenue and neglected taxation. Now, we have to return to the basics in order to strengthen democracy and entrench good governance. We must return to the culture of hard work and productivity because taxes can only be meaningful if people work efficiently, thereby making a surplus that can go towards running the government.

“It is work that determines wealth or poverty. The poor people are weak and can't support the government and the government is also weak and can't support the people. The only way we can get adequate revenue is to make sure that the people are mobilised to earn meaningful income that can translate to meaningful revenue for the government that will be used to fund pressing obligations. Government must be seen as just and fair even as it collects all taxes, levies and rates that are due to it.”

th140 JTB meeting held in OsogboBy Umar Yusuf Usman


NEWS

mmediately after the courtesy visit to

Ithe Government House the Joint Tax Board (JTB) delegation went to the

Aurora Event Conference Centre to kick-thstart the 140 Joint Tax Board meeting. The

theme for the meeting was “Deepening Internally Generated Revenue Beyond Personal Income Tax”.

After welcoming the members and other invited guests, the acting Chairman, Osun Internal Revenue Service, Bicci Alli said, “With the collaboration of those in the informal and formal sectors we have been able to change the way and manner we do things. We have amended seven of our revenue laws to enhance tax administration. The Governor always talks about revenue and the need for citizens to pay their taxes. The government of Osun has spread the

message of taxation using Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, and Pidgin in order for everyone to understand the essence of taxation.”

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah then explained that the JTB is an umbrella body of all tax bodies in Nigeria. He stated that it periodically collates data on revenue matters from the states that helped it to enhance revenue collection efforts.

Elamah pointed out that 95% of State Boards of Internal Revenue increased their revenue, including Osun State. Pay-As-You-Earn amounted for over 50% of states' internally generated revenue which informed the theme of the meeting.

“Process automation has increased the number of registered taxpayers. We are consolidating and integrating with the Bank Verification Number and the National Identity Management Commission in order to have a central databank of information.

“The revenue authorities need

administrative and financial autonomy to efficiently go about their business of revenue generation. We need to automate and integrate tax administration that can provide data and information at the touch of a button,” he said.

In his opening remarks the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the JTB, Tunde Fowler said that Osun State was

thhosting the 140 meeting of the JTB at a crucial time when oil as a source of revenue had failed the nation. He vowed that in 2018 tax administrators will not disappoint the nation.

Speaking about Osun State in particular, Fowler said, “Mr Governor has demonstrated his support to the Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS) in that it has increased its revenue collection. If it can be done in Osun State it can be done elsewhere. We are sure that Osun State is going to move upwards. When Mr Governor

By Kings Uba

NEWS


leaves at the end of his tenure, he will leave behind a legacy of good works.”

In his address to the tax administrators, the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola said, “It is one thing to have an idea and it is another to have someone who can drive that idea. We needed a dedicated professional who could drive that idea and we were fortunate to have found that in Tunde Fowler.

“From a paltry sum N600 million, today Lagos State is approaching N50 billion. I salute Tunde Fowler and all those who succeeded him on their revenue generation efforts in Lagos state.

“I also congratulate those in the OIRS for your increasing revenue collection but I want you to do more.

“Taxes and tax men are hated in every society for the obvious reasons. It is very hard to part with one's hard earned money. No one thanks them for collecting tax. Yet, these are among the most important

people in any society. Without taxes there can be no government.

“Anarchists say that no one should govern them, but without a state we descend to a state worse than animals. The government is the agency of the state that exercises the collective power for everyone. Without taxes there cannot be a state that can exist in harmony and enjoy common services. It has been so from primordial times. Tax is not new. It has been with us for a very long time.

“During the colonial era the ability to pay tax was a mark of manhood. Whoever could not pay his tax could not marry because no one would give them their daughter.

“Taxation is the earliest form of association. The tithes and zakat enables religious institutions to thrive and grow. In all social clubs and other voluntary associations members have to pay annual dues. If they do not they will be expelled.

“The military concentrated on natural resource revenue and neglected taxation. Now, we have to return to the basics in order to strengthen democracy and entrench good governance. We must return to the culture of hard work and productivity because taxes can only be meaningful if people work efficiently, thereby making a surplus that can go towards running the government.

“It is work that determines wealth or poverty. The poor people are weak and can't support the government and the government is also weak and can't support the people. The only way we can get adequate revenue is to make sure that the people are mobilised to earn meaningful income that can translate to meaningful revenue for the government that will be used to fund pressing obligations. Government must be seen as just and fair even as it collects all taxes, levies and rates that are due to it.”

th140 JTB meeting held in OsogboBy Umar Yusuf Usman

co

nte

nts

31 FAAC Post-mortem Sub-Committee visits FIRS

The editor hereby invites staff of FIRS and stakeholders to

The Editor, Gauge Magazine, 20 Sokode Crescent Zone 5, Wuse P.M.B. 133 Garki, Abuja

VON introduces “Tax Is Power” to expand revenue generation base

Kaduna state holds VAIDS interactive session

President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June

16

22

17

Tax reforms will drive growth in Nigeria

18

.

[email protected]

Contact us:[email protected], 09074444441, 09072111111, 09074444442

Fowler leads JTB members on a courtesy call on the Ataoja of Osogbo

FIRS, EFCC partner to track taxdefaulters as VAIDS ends

27

CIBN assures revenue boost via partnership28

Fowler engages EFCC cadets30

33 TADAT: Leading an effective tax assessment system

37 Dinner in honour of WATAF delegates

38 WATAF assumes its rightful place among comity of international organisations

40 FIRS hosts NLNG

41 JAIZ Bank woos FIRS to widen revenue base


a n items


...highest since 2013FIRS collects N1.171b in 2018 first quarter

n the first quarter of 2018, the

IFederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) pooled a total of N1.171

trillion in revenue collection. This is the highest revenue collection FIRS has

made in the same period since 2013.That is an additional N393 billion or

51 per cent increase in collection to what FIRS collected during the same period in 2017, when the agency collected N778.1 billion.

In the first quarter of 2016, the FIRS

collected N538 billion. During the same period in 2015, FIRS collected a total of N757 billion.

Then in 2014, when the global economy was healthier and the price of oil was $104 per barrel, the FIRS collected N106 billion in the first three

By Kelechukwu Okoronkwo and Nura Ismaila

JTB members pay homage to the premier Oba in Yoruba land

9

13

FIRS collects N1.170b in 2018 first quarter

14

140th JTB meeting held in Osogbo7

Rauf Aregbesola receives JTB members2

Continuous improvement is our watch-word5

Taxation will stimulate growth4

COVER

co

nte

nts

31 FAAC Post-mortem Sub-Committee visits FIRS

The editor hereby invites staff of FIRS and stakeholders to

The Editor, Gauge Magazine, 20 Sokode Crescent Zone 5, Wuse P.M.B. 133 Garki, Abuja

VON introduces “Tax Is Power” to expand revenue generation base

Kaduna state holds VAIDS interactive session

President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June

16

22

17


18

.

[email protected]

Contact us:[email protected], 09074444441, 09072111111, 09074444442


FIRS, EFCC partner to track taxdefaulters as VAIDS ends

27

CIBN assures revenue boost via partnership28

Fowler engages EFCC cadets30

33 TADAT: Leading an effective tax assessment system

37 Dinner in honour of WATAF delegates

38 WATAF assumes its rightful place among comity of international organisations

40 FIRS hosts NLNG

41 JAIZ Bank woos FIRS to widen revenue base


a n items


...highest since 2013FIRS collects N1.171b in 2018 first quarter

n the first quarter of 2018, the

IFederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) pooled a total of N1.171

trillion in revenue collection. This is the highest revenue collection FIRS has

made in the same period since 2013.That is an additional N393 billion or

51 per cent increase in collection to what FIRS collected during the same period in 2017, when the agency collected N778.1 billion.

In the first quarter of 2016, the FIRS

collected N538 billion. During the same period in 2015, FIRS collected a total of N757 billion.

Then in 2014, when the global economy was healthier and the price of oil was $104 per barrel, the FIRS collected N106 billion in the first three

By Kelechukwu Okoronkwo and Nura Ismaila


9

13

FIRS collects N1.170b in 2018 first quarter

14

140th JTB meeting held in Osogbo7

Rauf Aregbesola receives JTB members2

Continuous improvement is our watch-word5

Taxation will stimulate growth4

COVER


COVER


COVER

months. In the first quarter of 2018, when Nigeria was just reeling out of a two-year old recession and the oil price was hovering at about $65 to $70 per barrel, the FIRS made about N1 billion

more than what it made in 2014.In the first quarter of 2013, when

the price of oil in the global market was above $104 per barrel, the FIRS made a total of N1.2 trillion. That was about

N500 million more than what FIRS made in 2018.

FIRS' performance drew the admiration of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun at the Institute

of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN) Award night in Lagos in April and she commended the efforts of the FIRS Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler and his Management team for doing a good job in terms of revenue collection.

The Finance Minister, who received an ICAN merit award alongside Fowler and other awardees had kind words for the FIRS Executive Chairman, ICAN and stakeholders in the federal system: “I think it is significant that a taxman is being honoured. And when the taxman's name is mentioned, people clap. That is a change in Nigeria and I think it is here to stay.

“When the people collecting taxes are popular, the country wants to move forward. I thank you all on behalf of all the recipients,” Adeosun said.

At the event where Fowler also announced FIRS's 2018 first quarter collection, he encouraged Nigerians to continue to fulfil their tax obligations, assuring them that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring that tax monies are put into good use.

“Let's continue to pay our taxes. If we do, we will make Nigeria great again”, he said amidst resounding applause.

At the event, ICAN recognised and honoured Fowler with a Merit Award of the non-members category following some working initiatives which Fowler has brought to bear in FIRS. The FIRS Chairman received the Merit Award last year in the corporate member category on behalf of the FIRS.

According to the ICAN President, Ismail M Zakari, Fowler was singled out for the Merit Award for the innovative ways he has deployed information and communication technology to revolutionise tax administration processes in Nigeria.

Zakari said some of these initiatives include online filing of returns (e-Filing, VAT-collect system, e-Stamp Duty (online stamping of documents and stamp duty payment), e-Tax Receipt (instant issuance of receipts for taxes paid), e-Tax Clearance Certificate) and more.

Fowler was also praised for his dogged determination in the tax drive to provide the Buhari administration with the much-needed revenue to fulfil the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was also honoured with a Merit Award at the event. The ICAN President, Ismaila Zakari, said Kemi Adeosun was honoured for her exemplary and distinctive contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy and her sterling leadership qualities.

“This honour is in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the ideals of our Institute which include:

accountability, integrity, honesty, exemplary leadership and nation building.

Zakari added further: “Particularly for your selfless service as Nigeria's Minister of Finance and for your role in strengthening the Nigerian economy and entrenching accountability through the introduction of 22 Points Fiscal Reform Action Plan and the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme,”

Adeosun received further commendation for spearheading numerous reforms undertaken by the

Federal Government such as the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration

Scheme (VAIDS) which has been extended to June 30 by the Federal Government, implementation of Treasury Single Account, implementation of whistle-blower policy, establishment of an efficiency unit, establishment of Development Bank of Nigeria, launch of Asset Tracking and Management Project, and introduction of fiscal sustainability plans for states, among others. Mrs Adeosun is a fellow of the Institute.

,,According to the ICAN President, Ismail M Zakari, Fowler was singled out for the Merit Award for the innovative ways he has deployed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to revolutionise tax administration processes in Nigeria. Zakari said some of these initiatives include online filing of returns (e-filing, VAT-collect system, e-Stamp Duty (online stamping of documents and stamp duty payment), e-Tax Receipt (instant issuance of receipts for taxes paid), e-Tax Clearance) and more.

2015 2016 2017 2018


The Executive Chairman receiving a commemorative plaque from the President of ICAN, Isma'ila Muhammadu Zakari mni

The Hon Minister of Finance receiving a commemorative plaque from the President of ICAN, Isma'ila Muhammadu Zakari mni


COVER


COVER

months. In the first quarter of 2018, when Nigeria was just reeling out of a two-year old recession and the oil price was hovering at about $65 to $70 per barrel, the FIRS made about N1 billion

more than what it made in 2014.In the first quarter of 2013, when

the price of oil in the global market was above $104 per barrel, the FIRS made a total of N1.2 trillion. That was about

N500 million more than what FIRS made in 2018.

FIRS' performance drew the admiration of the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun at the Institute

of Chartered Accounts of Nigeria (ICAN) Award night in Lagos in April and she commended the efforts of the FIRS Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler and his Management team for doing a good job in terms of revenue collection.

The Finance Minister, who received an ICAN merit award alongside Fowler and other awardees had kind words for the FIRS Executive Chairman, ICAN and stakeholders in the federal system: “I think it is significant that a taxman is being honoured. And when the taxman's name is mentioned, people clap. That is a change in Nigeria and I think it is here to stay.

“When the people collecting taxes are popular, the country wants to move forward. I thank you all on behalf of all the recipients,” Adeosun said.

At the event where Fowler also announced FIRS's 2018 first quarter collection, he encouraged Nigerians to continue to fulfil their tax obligations, assuring them that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to ensuring that tax monies are put into good use.

“Let's continue to pay our taxes. If we do, we will make Nigeria great again”, he said amidst resounding applause.

At the event, ICAN recognised and honoured Fowler with a Merit Award of the non-members category following some working initiatives which Fowler has brought to bear in FIRS. The FIRS Chairman received the Merit Award last year in the corporate member category on behalf of the FIRS.

According to the ICAN President, Ismail M Zakari, Fowler was singled out for the Merit Award for the innovative ways he has deployed information and communication technology to revolutionise tax administration processes in Nigeria.

Zakari said some of these initiatives include online filing of returns (e-Filing, VAT-collect system, e-Stamp Duty (online stamping of documents and stamp duty payment), e-Tax Receipt (instant issuance of receipts for taxes paid), e-Tax Clearance Certificate) and more.

Fowler was also praised for his dogged determination in the tax drive to provide the Buhari administration with the much-needed revenue to fulfil the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun was also honoured with a Merit Award at the event. The ICAN President, Ismaila Zakari, said Kemi Adeosun was honoured for her exemplary and distinctive contributions to the growth of the Nigerian economy and her sterling leadership qualities.

“This honour is in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the ideals of our Institute which include:

accountability, integrity, honesty, exemplary leadership and nation building.

Zakari added further: “Particularly for your selfless service as Nigeria's Minister of Finance and for your role in strengthening the Nigerian economy and entrenching accountability through the introduction of 22 Points Fiscal Reform Action Plan and the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme,”

Adeosun received further commendation for spearheading numerous reforms undertaken by the

Federal Government such as the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration

Scheme (VAIDS) which has been extended to June 30 by the Federal Government, implementation of Treasury Single Account, implementation of whistle-blower policy, establishment of an efficiency unit, establishment of Development Bank of Nigeria, launch of Asset Tracking and Management Project, and introduction of fiscal sustainability plans for states, among others. Mrs Adeosun is a fellow of the Institute.

,,According to the ICAN President, Ismail M Zakari, Fowler was singled out for the Merit Award for the innovative ways he has deployed Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to revolutionise tax administration processes in Nigeria. Zakari said some of these initiatives include online filing of returns (e-filing, VAT-collect system, e-Stamp Duty (online stamping of documents and stamp duty payment), e-Tax Receipt (instant issuance of receipts for taxes paid), e-Tax Clearance) and more.

2015 2016 2017 2018


The Executive Chairman receiving a commemorative plaque from the President of ICAN, Isma'ila Muhammadu Zakari mni

The Hon Minister of Finance receiving a commemorative plaque from the President of ICAN, Isma'ila Muhammadu Zakari mni


visit to Osun State would not be

Acomplete without a visit to the Ile Oodua or Ooni's palace in Ile-Ife. And so

it was that the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) Service and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler went to pay homage to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II together with members of the JTB and some staff of FIRS.

As Fowler addressed the Ooni he first sought the monarch's forgiveness for arriving at the palace late. “We ask his Imperial Majesty's forgiveness for being late. I am here at the head of this delegation to seek your blessings.

“Taxation is not new to you. Our royal fathers were the original tax collectors. It is only right and proper that we come to pay homage to you and receive your words of wisdom.

“For quite some time we had discarded taxation and relied solely on oil revenue which is no longer sustainable. Last year 65% of the

revenue FIRS collected was from non-oil tax revenue. Even if the oil price goes up we cannot rely on it any more as the main source of revenue.

“We ask for your support and blessings and beseech you to tell your subjects to pay tax. The Nigeria of our dreams would not look for foreign aid or grants from other countries.”

Fowler went on to commend the rich cultural heritage that was on display for the benefit of the guests by royal courtiers. “The rich demonstration of the culture here at the palace will be something that every member will take away and remember forever,” he said.

Responding to the Executive Chairman, the Ooni said, “It is a great honour to have the entire JTB team in the palace of Oduduwa. We thank the Almighty for keeping us together as a nation. The gathering shows how our diversity can be a source of strength.

“We have been the custodians of taxation, of our culture and our heritage. Traditional rulers have been involved deeply with these things in the past. We are willing to work with the administrators of JTB. JTB should carry traditional rulers along. We will enhance the

tax-to-GDP ratio. We all have a stake in this country. We have to go back to the past in order to move the country forward to a brighter future.

“We are very proud that this meeting is taking place here in Osun State. We are willing to work with your team to better the lot of this country. It is a great honour to have you here in Ife. We appreciate the fact that you left your work to come here.

“It is about time we all came together to increase the tax net. We have many unemployed youths and it is through taxation that we can provide them with the jobs that they need.”

After the royal audience at the Ooni's palace, the royal father invited all the delegates to dine at his Ife Grand Resort and Leisure. The resort, which is a personal project of the Ooni is a sprawling complex on 252 hectares. It has 300 exquisitely furnished rooms and apartments and an 18 hole golf course. This tourists' paradise has not only brought development to Ile-Ife but is also a project that will contribute to the nation's efforts of boosting tourism.


By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Executive Chairman receiving a bronze relief sculpture from His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife


NEWS


visit to Osun State would not be

Acomplete without a visit to the Ile Oodua or Ooni's palace in Ile-Ife. And so

it was that the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) Service and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler went to pay homage to His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II together with members of the JTB and some staff of FIRS.

As Fowler addressed the Ooni he first sought the monarch's forgiveness for arriving at the palace late. “We ask his Imperial Majesty's forgiveness for being late. I am here at the head of this delegation to seek your blessings.

“Taxation is not new to you. Our royal fathers were the original tax collectors. It is only right and proper that we come to pay homage to you and receive your words of wisdom.

“For quite some time we had discarded taxation and relied solely on oil revenue which is no longer sustainable. Last year 65% of the

revenue FIRS collected was from non-oil tax revenue. Even if the oil price goes up we cannot rely on it any more as the main source of revenue.

“We ask for your support and blessings and beseech you to tell your subjects to pay tax. The Nigeria of our dreams would not look for foreign aid or grants from other countries.”

Fowler went on to commend the rich cultural heritage that was on display for the benefit of the guests by royal courtiers. “The rich demonstration of the culture here at the palace will be something that every member will take away and remember forever,” he said.

Responding to the Executive Chairman, the Ooni said, “It is a great honour to have the entire JTB team in the palace of Oduduwa. We thank the Almighty for keeping us together as a nation. The gathering shows how our diversity can be a source of strength.

“We have been the custodians of taxation, of our culture and our heritage. Traditional rulers have been involved deeply with these things in the past. We are willing to work with the administrators of JTB. JTB should carry traditional rulers along. We will enhance the

tax-to-GDP ratio. We all have a stake in this country. We have to go back to the past in order to move the country forward to a brighter future.

“We are very proud that this meeting is taking place here in Osun State. We are willing to work with your team to better the lot of this country. It is a great honour to have you here in Ife. We appreciate the fact that you left your work to come here.

“It is about time we all came together to increase the tax net. We have many unemployed youths and it is through taxation that we can provide them with the jobs that they need.”

After the royal audience at the Ooni's palace, the royal father invited all the delegates to dine at his Ife Grand Resort and Leisure. The resort, which is a personal project of the Ooni is a sprawling complex on 252 hectares. It has 300 exquisitely furnished rooms and apartments and an 18 hole golf course. This tourists' paradise has not only brought development to Ile-Ife but is also a project that will contribute to the nation's efforts of boosting tourism.


By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Executive Chairman receiving a bronze relief sculpture from His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife


NEWS

NEWS NEWS


he crème'-de-la-crème of

Ttax administrators in Nigeria, led by the

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler, paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanikepun Larooye II at his palace in Osogbo. The visit was part of

th events marking the 140 JTB meeting held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

While welcoming the visitors, the Ataoja informed them that he had summoned all the king makers of his domain to welcome the JTB members. He told the delegation that taxation has impacted positively on the state and that evidence of this was visible throughout the state.

The Ataoja said, “You must have seen all the good works that the government is doing. When next you come to Osogbo you will see that this palace would have undergone a befitting facelift. I also promise you that I will make some of you chiefs. I pray that God will be with you throughout your stay here as you undertake the onerous task of generating revenue for the nation.”

Before beginning his response, the Executive Chairman sought permission to speak in English but had his words translated so that the ancestors may be able to hear as well. “We would like to thank you for this privilege and honour of receiving us in your palace. We cannot come to your land without paying homage to you. We are here to receive your blessings as tax administrators because we are aware that you, our royal fathers, are the original tax administrators. During the time when you collected taxes you had 100% tax compliance.

“We want you to advise your people to be tax compliant at this time as the nation needs the revenue to deliver on its development objectives. We are here to see the good work that is possible with tax revenue. Every kobo and naira will be used to benefit the people”, Fowler said.

The Executive Chairman presented a gift to the Ataoja to show appreciation for the kind reception he gave the members of the JTB. “There is no way we can come to the Oba's palace and leave empty handed. We want to give you these tokens as a sign of our gratitude so that you may remember us when we came to

thOsogbo for the 140 meeting of the JTB.”

By Umar Yusuf Usman ,,While welcoming the visitors, the Ataoja informed them that he had summoned all the king makers of his domain to welcome the JTB members. He told thedelegation that taxation has impacted positively on the state and that evidence of this was visible throughout the state.

14 A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service January - March, 2018 15January - March, 2018 A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland Revenue Service

The Executive Chairman and His Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo

NEWS NEWS


he crème'-de-la-crème of

Ttax administrators in Nigeria, led by the

Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler, paid a courtesy call on His Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanikepun Larooye II at his palace in Osogbo. The visit was part of

th events marking the 140 JTB meeting held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

While welcoming the visitors, the Ataoja informed them that he had summoned all the king makers of his domain to welcome the JTB members. He told the delegation that taxation has impacted positively on the state and that evidence of this was visible throughout the state.

The Ataoja said, “You must have seen all the good works that the government is doing. When next you come to Osogbo you will see that this palace would have undergone a befitting facelift. I also promise you that I will make some of you chiefs. I pray that God will be with you throughout your stay here as you undertake the onerous task of generating revenue for the nation.”

Before beginning his response, the Executive Chairman sought permission to speak in English but had his words translated so that the ancestors may be able to hear as well. “We would like to thank you for this privilege and honour of receiving us in your palace. We cannot come to your land without paying homage to you. We are here to receive your blessings as tax administrators because we are aware that you, our royal fathers, are the original tax administrators. During the time when you collected taxes you had 100% tax compliance.

“We want you to advise your people to be tax compliant at this time as the nation needs the revenue to deliver on its development objectives. We are here to see the good work that is possible with tax revenue. Every kobo and naira will be used to benefit the people”, Fowler said.

The Executive Chairman presented a gift to the Ataoja to show appreciation for the kind reception he gave the members of the JTB. “There is no way we can come to the Oba's palace and leave empty handed. We want to give you these tokens as a sign of our gratitude so that you may remember us when we came to

thOsogbo for the 140 meeting of the JTB.”

By Umar Yusuf Usman ,,While welcoming the visitors, the Ataoja informed them that he had summoned all the king makers of his domain to welcome the JTB members. He told thedelegation that taxation has impacted positively on the state and that evidence of this was visible throughout the state.


The Executive Chairman and His Royal Majesty, the Ataoja of Osogbo

NEWS


INTERVIEW


he Voice of Nigeria (VON), in its

Tdrive to promote a positive buy-in on taxation in the country, has

introduced a tax initiative called “Tax is Power” through its radio broadcasts.

The newly designed initiative is intended to build an increased level of tax awareness as well as secure the public's interest in tax matters.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, in his remarks disclosed the need to build a constructive and productive institutional relationship between FIRS and VON in order to sustain revenue progression in the country.

“It is not news to say that the Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians are turning towards taxation to ensure adequate funding of the respective budgets at the federal, state and local government levels. It is not news that the country is now out of recession and people

are hoping for a better life to come. However, we are all quite aware that there is the need to grow our revenue base and for us to keep this growth going. Government at all levels relies heavily on us to fund their projects.”

At the same time, he said FIRS has not rested on its oars to ensure that various measures are developed to achieve efficiency and an easy tax payment system.

“We constantly seek to improve the tax system. One of the ways we have improved our service delivery and transparency is through the deployment our six ICT e-Solutions which all taxpayers can use in performing most tax administration services anywhere around the world.”

The Director-General, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu thanked the Service for an open door to partnership which he assured will help the country project its image positively.

“We realise the need to push beyond the level of partnership that is currently existing between FIRS and VON to enable us have a good sense of collaboration, with a view to projecting FIRS projects and services to the public. This, we intend to achieve through the development of the initiative which we have called “Tax is Power” to he lp deepen taxat ion awareness in Nigeria.”

He commended the Executive Chairman and the management team for the brilliant revenue performance of N4.03 trillion in 2017 which is N700 billion more than the 2016 collection figure of N3.3 trillion and also thanked him for the acceptance of the “Tax is Power” initiative.

The visiting VON team included the Director News, Ahaziah A. Suleiman; Acting Director, Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, Edith Nelson Udo-Udo; Deputy Director, Programmes, Hauwa A. Ajeje, and Head, Protocol, B. U. Zakari.

VON introduces

“Tax is Power” to expand revenue generation base

By Ayorinde Aghede

resident Muhammadu Buhari

Phas approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and

Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to June 30, 2018.

The short extension after the original March 31 date is based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers.

However, no further extension of time will be approved after June 30.

The President added that a new date was also given, based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue. A fresh Executive Order will be made to give legal backing to the new timeline.

According to President Buhari, “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in terms of the tax-to-GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world.

“Nigeria's growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself. Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop.”

The President urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularise.”

He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

President Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularise their tax status.

VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the Federal

Government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment.

The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just 6% of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them.

President Buhari had last year launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is the first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government.

Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people.

Taxes redistribute wealth from those who have more to those who have less, and VAIDS is one of the windows to achieve such.

President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June 30

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, and the DG, VON, Osita Okechukwu

NEWS

NEWS


INTERVIEW


he Voice of Nigeria (VON), in its

Tdrive to promote a positive buy-in on taxation in the country, has

introduced a tax initiative called “Tax is Power” through its radio broadcasts.

The newly designed initiative is intended to build an increased level of tax awareness as well as secure the public's interest in tax matters.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, in his remarks disclosed the need to build a constructive and productive institutional relationship between FIRS and VON in order to sustain revenue progression in the country.

“It is not news to say that the Federal Government and indeed all Nigerians are turning towards taxation to ensure adequate funding of the respective budgets at the federal, state and local government levels. It is not news that the country is now out of recession and people

are hoping for a better life to come. However, we are all quite aware that there is the need to grow our revenue base and for us to keep this growth going. Government at all levels relies heavily on us to fund their projects.”

At the same time, he said FIRS has not rested on its oars to ensure that various measures are developed to achieve efficiency and an easy tax payment system.

“We constantly seek to improve the tax system. One of the ways we have improved our service delivery and transparency is through the deployment our six ICT e-Solutions which all taxpayers can use in performing most tax administration services anywhere around the world.”

The Director-General, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu thanked the Service for an open door to partnership which he assured will help the country project its image positively.

“We realise the need to push beyond the level of partnership that is currently existing between FIRS and VON to enable us have a good sense of collaboration, with a view to projecting FIRS projects and services to the public. This, we intend to achieve through the development of the initiative which we have called “Tax is Power” to he lp deepen taxat ion awareness in Nigeria.”

He commended the Executive Chairman and the management team for the brilliant revenue performance of N4.03 trillion in 2017 which is N700 billion more than the 2016 collection figure of N3.3 trillion and also thanked him for the acceptance of the “Tax is Power” initiative.

The visiting VON team included the Director News, Ahaziah A. Suleiman; Acting Director, Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, Edith Nelson Udo-Udo; Deputy Director, Programmes, Hauwa A. Ajeje, and Head, Protocol, B. U. Zakari.

VON introduces

“Tax is Power” to expand revenue generation base

By Ayorinde Aghede

resident Muhammadu Buhari

Phas approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and

Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to June 30, 2018.

The short extension after the original March 31 date is based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers.

However, no further extension of time will be approved after June 30.

The President added that a new date was also given, based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue. A fresh Executive Order will be made to give legal backing to the new timeline.

According to President Buhari, “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in terms of the tax-to-GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world.

“Nigeria's growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself. Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop.”

The President urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularise.”

He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

President Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularise their tax status.

VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the Federal

Government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment.

The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just 6% of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them.

President Buhari had last year launched the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is the first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government.

Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people.

Taxes redistribute wealth from those who have more to those who have less, and VAIDS is one of the windows to achieve such.

President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June 30

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, and the DG, VON, Osita Okechukwu

NEWS


INTERVIEW


INTERVIEW

How do you feel about some of the current reforms that had helped the country end the recession in September?

If you put ten economists in a room and ask them for a solution for recession, they will most likely come up with different answers, but the most common answer is: mainly through government expenditure. The only way a government can expend is if it has its revenue, so the major focus of the government was to make sure that tax revenue was enhanced and try to hit the real potential of the country.

A lot of people talk about the tax-to-GDP ratio and as of 2016 it was at 6%, one of the lowest worldwide. The United Nations believes that for any country to grow and have sustainable economic or social development, the minimum tax-to-GDP ratio should be 15%. Basically our objective and mandate is to reform the tax administration at both the federal and the state levels. So, in terms of theory, last year we got out of the recession because the government created rules and, of course, because of the partnership with the private sector. The tax revenue collected by FIRS between 2016 and 2017 has increased by N700 billion.

What is the role of FIRS in the socio-economic development of the country?

I think maintaining our mandate which is to fund the federal, states and local governments. The money that we collect, we share it with the three and in 2017 we achieved 99.5% of the annual budget. So all three tiers of government got substantial increases of revenue, and I believe that with the additional revenue we will be able to carry out our mandate and also stimulate the economies of the respective states.

After your achievements from last year, what are your plans for 2018?

Our budget hasn't been approved by the parliament, which is the House of Representatives and the Senate. But we believe that we should generate at least N6 trillion and you might ask how? We have captured, I could say, almost 99% of registered companies and now we have to have more effective motivation. Even the state governments remit taxes which basically are Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax.

In terms of technology, how has the optimization of technology impacted or helped your mandate and how has it helped you widen the tax base?

Let me talk about the foundation base: nobody wants to pay taxes, including tax administrators, but once you make it convenient and transparent, it

gives us the ability to monitor and track, it reaches its full potential. And that's what we have seen that these solutions have done. In terms of convenience, tax payers can pay their taxes anywhere in the world 24/7 just online, from using your bank application or your smart phone and you can also download your receipt once you register with an e-mail address. Once your taxes have been paid with your tax identification number, you get an alert and then you can download your receipt, and you can also confirm if the receipt is genuine, meaning that the money has gone into the Federation Account.

For companies that do business where you have been deducted tax, you can find out within 45 days. You will also receive an alert so you can find out that your taxes have been paid to the government. Registration of new companies, duty payments or increasing of share capital can also be done online.

Basically, these services cover all basic tax

administration services so you don't actually have to come to the tax offices.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the implementation and how it would he lp you gather more informat ion or revenue f rom Nigerians around the world?

First of all, let me go back a little bit. We are quite aware that a lot of Nigerian individuals and even foreigners who reside here are not in the tax net and that's why we have such a low tax-to-GDP ratio, and we look at what other countries did including Turkey, India and South Africa. They launched similar programmes to give people and corporate organizations an opportunity to come forward, clean up their tax records and make payments, and

also give them the option of instalment payments. We had teams that went to visit these countries to talk to their tax officials.

We have figures of about 60 million adults in Nigeria that should be registered and currently we have about 15 million so there is a big gap. About 40 million individuals are not registered, and when they are not registered, it means that they are not paying. In terms of corporate organisations, we have done a tax amnesty in 2016 and we had also a very aggressive registration process where we added around 800,000 corporate organizations. We are expecting a growth from the current 15 million to at least 40

stmillion by March 31 . We have a collective budget of US$1

billion which is about 305 billion naira and up to date we have payments from the corporate side of about N20 billion. We are quite aware that most corporate organisations and individuals wait until the last moment, which will be the middle of March this year. We get a lot of requests from consultants and tax payers but I think they will make their move in the first or second week of March.

You are the Chairman of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and you are part of the UN International Experts Committee on T a x M a t t e r s . H o w d o t h e s e collaborations help taxation in Nigeria and the continent of Africa?

First let me talk about ATAF where I am also the Chairman. It is made up of 38 African countries and the mandate and objective of ATAF is to improve tax administration on the African continent. Africa as a continent has similar problems and also it has the lowest average in terms of tax-to-GDP ratio. Africa has relied on the sale of mineral resources like oil, tin, diamonds, and copper for most of its revenue. Over the years the market has become a buyer's market and what do you with the oil you can't sell? And with the diamonds you can't sell? So basically you have to improve tax administration which is the only way we can fund a respective economy and every African country should maximize its tax potential in order to fund its own budget.

At ATAF, we know that there is a capacity issue problem, so ATAF basically brings African chief executives of revenue agencies to share ideas, to come up with training. An item that is high on the agenda right now is transfer pricing, so they come up with all these training programmes including a Master's degree programme in taxation and we exchange ideas and experiences. We sometimes second staff from one revenue agency in Africa to another to study and see practically how tax administration is carried out.

Now moving from ATAF to the UN Tax

Tax reforms will drivegrowth in Nigeria

The Executive Chairman during the interview with Estefania Borghetti


In an exclusive interview with REO Communications, a partner of internationally respected Time magazine, the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler speaks to Estefania Borghetti and Dante Di Iulio on the various reforms being undertaken in the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Fowler bares his mind on his passion to steer the apex tax authority in the nation to achieve its full potential. However, it is not only tax administration that the Tax Czar is passionate about; his ultimate goal is ensure that the tax authority will impact on the nation's economy in such a way that the Nigeria of our dream comes into being. Excerpts…


INTERVIEW


INTERVIEW

How do you feel about some of the current reforms that had helped the country end the recession in September?

If you put ten economists in a room and ask them for a solution for recession, they will most likely come up with different answers, but the most common answer is: mainly through government expenditure. The only way a government can expend is if it has its revenue, so the major focus of the government was to make sure that tax revenue was enhanced and try to hit the real potential of the country.

A lot of people talk about the tax-to-GDP ratio and as of 2016 it was at 6%, one of the lowest worldwide. The United Nations believes that for any country to grow and have sustainable economic or social development, the minimum tax-to-GDP ratio should be 15%. Basically our objective and mandate is to reform the tax administration at both the federal and the state levels. So, in terms of theory, last year we got out of the recession because the government created rules and, of course, because of the partnership with the private sector. The tax revenue collected by FIRS between 2016 and 2017 has increased by N700 billion.

What is the role of FIRS in the socio-economic development of the country?

I think maintaining our mandate which is to fund the federal, states and local governments. The money that we collect, we share it with the three and in 2017 we achieved 99.5% of the annual budget. So all three tiers of government got substantial increases of revenue, and I believe that with the additional revenue we will be able to carry out our mandate and also stimulate the economies of the respective states.

After your achievements from last year, what are your plans for 2018?

Our budget hasn't been approved by the parliament, which is the House of Representatives and the Senate. But we believe that we should generate at least N6 trillion and you might ask how? We have captured, I could say, almost 99% of registered companies and now we have to have more effective motivation. Even the state governments remit taxes which basically are Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax.

In terms of technology, how has the optimization of technology impacted or helped your mandate and how has it helped you widen the tax base?

Let me talk about the foundation base: nobody wants to pay taxes, including tax administrators, but once you make it convenient and transparent, it

gives us the ability to monitor and track, it reaches its full potential. And that's what we have seen that these solutions have done. In terms of convenience, tax payers can pay their taxes anywhere in the world 24/7 just online, from using your bank application or your smart phone and you can also download your receipt once you register with an e-mail address. Once your taxes have been paid with your tax identification number, you get an alert and then you can download your receipt, and you can also confirm if the receipt is genuine, meaning that the money has gone into the Federation Account.

For companies that do business where you have been deducted tax, you can find out within 45 days. You will also receive an alert so you can find out that your taxes have been paid to the government. Registration of new companies, duty payments or increasing of share capital can also be done online.

Basically, these services cover all basic tax

administration services so you don't actually have to come to the tax offices.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the implementation and how it would he lp you gather more informat ion or revenue f rom Nigerians around the world?

First of all, let me go back a little bit. We are quite aware that a lot of Nigerian individuals and even foreigners who reside here are not in the tax net and that's why we have such a low tax-to-GDP ratio, and we look at what other countries did including Turkey, India and South Africa. They launched similar programmes to give people and corporate organizations an opportunity to come forward, clean up their tax records and make payments, and

also give them the option of instalment payments. We had teams that went to visit these countries to talk to their tax officials.

We have figures of about 60 million adults in Nigeria that should be registered and currently we have about 15 million so there is a big gap. About 40 million individuals are not registered, and when they are not registered, it means that they are not paying. In terms of corporate organisations, we have done a tax amnesty in 2016 and we had also a very aggressive registration process where we added around 800,000 corporate organizations. We are expecting a growth from the current 15 million to at least 40

stmillion by March 31 . We have a collective budget of US$1

billion which is about 305 billion naira and up to date we have payments from the corporate side of about N20 billion. We are quite aware that most corporate organisations and individuals wait until the last moment, which will be the middle of March this year. We get a lot of requests from consultants and tax payers but I think they will make their move in the first or second week of March.

You are the Chairman of the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) and you are part of the UN International Experts Committee on T a x M a t t e r s . H o w d o t h e s e collaborations help taxation in Nigeria and the continent of Africa?

First let me talk about ATAF where I am also the Chairman. It is made up of 38 African countries and the mandate and objective of ATAF is to improve tax administration on the African continent. Africa as a continent has similar problems and also it has the lowest average in terms of tax-to-GDP ratio. Africa has relied on the sale of mineral resources like oil, tin, diamonds, and copper for most of its revenue. Over the years the market has become a buyer's market and what do you with the oil you can't sell? And with the diamonds you can't sell? So basically you have to improve tax administration which is the only way we can fund a respective economy and every African country should maximize its tax potential in order to fund its own budget.

At ATAF, we know that there is a capacity issue problem, so ATAF basically brings African chief executives of revenue agencies to share ideas, to come up with training. An item that is high on the agenda right now is transfer pricing, so they come up with all these training programmes including a Master's degree programme in taxation and we exchange ideas and experiences. We sometimes second staff from one revenue agency in Africa to another to study and see practically how tax administration is carried out.

Now moving from ATAF to the UN Tax

Tax reforms will drivegrowth in Nigeria

The Executive Chairman during the interview with Estefania Borghetti


In an exclusive interview with REO Communications, a partner of internationally respected Time magazine, the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler speaks to Estefania Borghetti and Dante Di Iulio on the various reforms being undertaken in the Federal Inland Revenue Service. Fowler bares his mind on his passion to steer the apex tax authority in the nation to achieve its full potential. However, it is not only tax administration that the Tax Czar is passionate about; his ultimate goal is ensure that the tax authority will impact on the nation's economy in such a way that the Nigeria of our dream comes into being. Excerpts…


INTERVIEW


Committee, the UN also focuses on developing countries to improve tax administration and also determine if the actions within transfer pricing are legal or illegal. We were in New York this month and for the first time the World Bank, the IMF, the United Nations and OECD came together to start this discussion. ATAF was also present and presented two papers and the whole idea is that as a global community we should come together to address these issues and see how we can improve, not only tax administration, but to also come up with policies that will be fair and effective.

In terms of reaching the 15 % tax-to-GDP ratio, based on your initiatives and your projections when do you think you will hit that mark?

You might say that it is a very ambitious plan, but I believe that by the end of 2018 we will hit 15 %.

How do you hammer taxation into people's heads, how do you make them see, like your slogan, “it really pays to pay your taxes”?

We as tax administrators are not law enforcement officers. We have to be psychologists, we have to be comedians, we have to be motivational because the whole idea is to convince them about why they have to pay and how to pay and hopefully to build a conscience of the need for them to pay, and also for the love of the county. I often ask how many people do

you want to prosecute for tax offences? How many people will we send to prison for tax offences? First, we have to change the mindset of our staff internally and then change the mindset of tax payers, and I think with that in place and the proper infrastructure to make the tax paying process more transparent, convenient and comfortable, it will make the corporations and individuals to come into the tax net and do the right thing, and then we can enforce the tax laws.

The difference between us and countries like Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom is that they all have to pay taxes because they know that there are consequences for not paying and if they get caught, it won't be a pretty sight.

Can you give a message of confidence about why now is the best time to invest in Nigeria and why paying your taxes is the biggest

catalyst for socio-economic growth? Nigeria, in terms of ease of doing

business is moving positively and also has the largest potential market, and in terms of population and of those who have the disposable income, it is a good market and it is ready to expand and to take in new businesses, so that's why you should come to Nigeria.

And why should you pay taxes? Because, just like every other African country or every other developing country, it is the only way to improve the standard of living of the people, it is the way to continue to create an environment good for business and good for living. I believe that when you have that environment in place, where there is security, peace and where there is an opportunity to make a living, then your country will move forward. That's why we tell everyone to pay their taxes, to empower the government so that it can provide that environment.,,Now moving from ATAF to the UN Tax Committee, the

UN also focuses on developing countries to improve tax administration and also determine if the actions within transfer pricing are legal or illegal. We were in New York this month and for the first time the World Bank, the IMF, the United Nations and OECD came together to start this discussion.


INTERVIEW


INTERVIEW


Committee, the UN also focuses on developing countries to improve tax administration and also determine if the actions within transfer pricing are legal or illegal. We were in New York this month and for the first time the World Bank, the IMF, the United Nations and OECD came together to start this discussion. ATAF was also present and presented two papers and the whole idea is that as a global community we should come together to address these issues and see how we can improve, not only tax administration, but to also come up with policies that will be fair and effective.

In terms of reaching the 15 % tax-to-GDP ratio, based on your initiatives and your projections when do you think you will hit that mark?

You might say that it is a very ambitious plan, but I believe that by the end of 2018 we will hit 15 %.

How do you hammer taxation into people's heads, how do you make them see, like your slogan, “it really pays to pay your taxes”?

We as tax administrators are not law enforcement officers. We have to be psychologists, we have to be comedians, we have to be motivational because the whole idea is to convince them about why they have to pay and how to pay and hopefully to build a conscience of the need for them to pay, and also for the love of the county. I often ask how many people do

you want to prosecute for tax offences? How many people will we send to prison for tax offences? First, we have to change the mindset of our staff internally and then change the mindset of tax payers, and I think with that in place and the proper infrastructure to make the tax paying process more transparent, convenient and comfortable, it will make the corporations and individuals to come into the tax net and do the right thing, and then we can enforce the tax laws.

The difference between us and countries like Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom is that they all have to pay taxes because they know that there are consequences for not paying and if they get caught, it won't be a pretty sight.

Can you give a message of confidence about why now is the best time to invest in Nigeria and why paying your taxes is the biggest

catalyst for socio-economic growth? Nigeria, in terms of ease of doing

business is moving positively and also has the largest potential market, and in terms of population and of those who have the disposable income, it is a good market and it is ready to expand and to take in new businesses, so that's why you should come to Nigeria.

And why should you pay taxes? Because, just like every other African country or every other developing country, it is the only way to improve the standard of living of the people, it is the way to continue to create an environment good for business and good for living. I believe that when you have that environment in place, where there is security, peace and where there is an opportunity to make a living, then your country will move forward. That's why we tell everyone to pay their taxes, to empower the government so that it can provide that environment.,,Now moving from ATAF to the UN Tax Committee, the

UN also focuses on developing countries to improve tax administration and also determine if the actions within transfer pricing are legal or illegal. We were in New York this month and for the first time the World Bank, the IMF, the United Nations and OECD came together to start this discussion.


INTERVIEW

PHOTO SPLASH

The Executive Chairman and the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh during the FRSC 30th anniversary lecture in Abuja

The Executive Chairman, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi

The President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Directors presenting a a plaque to the Executive Chairman during

the Institute's February 2018 Members Dinner

The Executive Chairman giving a speech at the Institute of Directors February 2018 Members Dinner

The Executive Chairman, FIRS,Tunde Fowler and Management staff with members of the TADAT assessment team

The Executive Chairman and the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi at the 30th anniversary lecture of the FRSC in Abuja


NEWS


he M in i s t r y o f F inance , i n

Tcollaboration with the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Inland

Revenue Service (FIRS) held a one day interactive session on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). The one-day event took place at the Umaru Musa Yar'adua Sports Hall, Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.

It will be recalled that the Executive Order launching VAIDS was signed in by the then Acting President, Prof Yemi

thOsinbajo in Abuja on 29 June, 2017. The THscheme, which will expire on 30 June,

2018 is an opportunity for those who have not been regular in discharging their tax affairs to voluntarily declare their assets and incomes and pay any tax liabilities they have without the fear of being prosecuted or made to suffer interest and penalties. After the expiration of the scheme the government has vowed to name and shame those who have remained recalcitrant.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said that the challenges the country is facing as a result of the crash in oil prices made the government realise that taxation has to be the way forward. She urged everyone to come together to do the right thing and the right thing to do is pay tax as and when due.

Adesoun stated that from available data, only low income earners and mostly civil servants whose taxes are deducted at source comply with tax payment, while large business tycoons who earn more evade taxes.

“Currently, we have just 14 million

taxpayers out of 70 million citizens who are economically active. So, many people who should be paying are not paying anything. It is the development of taxes that will help the states and the Federal Government to achieve their true potentials.

“The government is not stigmatizing or accusing anybody but will not tolerate it any further, hence Nigerians are encouraged to take advantage of the window now or evaders should be ready to face prosecution at the expiration of the window by the end of June,” Adeosun stressed.

The Minister explained that there are moral and developmental reasons why people should pay tax. There is now a situation of national need. “Everyone should pay without stigma. We can be able to do more irrespective of what the oil price is. Your income and expenditure should match. People must declare honestly and fully in order to take advantage of VAIDS. After that there is no hiding place. If you do not declare we will name and shame you,” she warned.

In his address, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai said that Kaduna State should be able to spend what it can generate from internally generated revenue. The ultimate aim is for Kaduna State to stop taking funds from the Federation Account.

“We have a lot of data on land ownership. We are going to make that freely available to the tax authorities. We are also looking at people's bank accounts. You see people with tons of cash domiciled with banks in Kaduna and yet these people will claim that they do not live in Kaduna.

“VAIDS is an opportunity for everyone to come clean. I have declared

my assets in 2017. We are not in government to make money for ourselves. Many of the big shots do not like us but the common man supports us because we are building roads and other infrastructure.

“Fowler was the person who made Lagos State independent of getting funds from the Federation Account and because of that God gave him more responsibility at the federal level,” El- Rufai said.

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler enjoined the residents of Kaduna State to join hands in order for Kaduna to have the funds that will develop the state. He reminded everyone that Nigeria is a beautiful country that we have to come together to develop.

“VAIDS gives you the opportunity to pay outstanding tax liabilities over a period of three years. You have the guarantee that you w i l l no t be prosecuted if you declare under the scheme. As tax administrators we are collecting this money on your behalf. A government that desires to provide for its citizens is a government that should be applauded,” Fowler remarked.

To c e l e b r a t e v o l u n t a r y t a x compliance, an award was given to the most consistent taxpayer in Kaduna State. Dr Lema Jibril, Dan Iyan Katsina, b u s i n e s s m o g u l a n d o n e t i m e presidential candidate was honoured for paying his taxes as and when due for the past forty years without fail. The Governor of Kaduna State said that the example of tax compliance set by the elder statesman should be emulated by all Nigerians in order to move the country forward.

Kaduna State holds VAIDS interactive session

By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El Rufai; the MD Nigeria Ports, Authority Hadiza Bala Usman; the Hon Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and the Executive Chairman, FIRS

PHOTO SPLASH

The Executive Chairman and the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh during the FRSC 30th anniversary lecture in Abuja

The Executive Chairman, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi

The President and Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Directors presenting a a plaque to the Executive Chairman during

the Institute's February 2018 Members Dinner

The Executive Chairman giving a speech at the Institute of Directors February 2018 Members Dinner

The Executive Chairman, FIRS,Tunde Fowler and Management staff with members of the TADAT assessment team

The Executive Chairman and the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi at the 30th anniversary lecture of the FRSC in Abuja


NEWS


he M in i s t r y o f F inance , i n

Tcollaboration with the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Inland

Revenue Service (FIRS) held a one day interactive session on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS). The one-day event took place at the Umaru Musa Yar'adua Sports Hall, Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna.

It will be recalled that the Executive Order launching VAIDS was signed in by the then Acting President, Prof Yemi

thOsinbajo in Abuja on 29 June, 2017. The THscheme, which will expire on 30 June,

2018 is an opportunity for those who have not been regular in discharging their tax affairs to voluntarily declare their assets and incomes and pay any tax liabilities they have without the fear of being prosecuted or made to suffer interest and penalties. After the expiration of the scheme the government has vowed to name and shame those who have remained recalcitrant.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said that the challenges the country is facing as a result of the crash in oil prices made the government realise that taxation has to be the way forward. She urged everyone to come together to do the right thing and the right thing to do is pay tax as and when due.

Adesoun stated that from available data, only low income earners and mostly civil servants whose taxes are deducted at source comply with tax payment, while large business tycoons who earn more evade taxes.

“Currently, we have just 14 million

taxpayers out of 70 million citizens who are economically active. So, many people who should be paying are not paying anything. It is the development of taxes that will help the states and the Federal Government to achieve their true potentials.

“The government is not stigmatizing or accusing anybody but will not tolerate it any further, hence Nigerians are encouraged to take advantage of the window now or evaders should be ready to face prosecution at the expiration of the window by the end of June,” Adeosun stressed.

The Minister explained that there are moral and developmental reasons why people should pay tax. There is now a situation of national need. “Everyone should pay without stigma. We can be able to do more irrespective of what the oil price is. Your income and expenditure should match. People must declare honestly and fully in order to take advantage of VAIDS. After that there is no hiding place. If you do not declare we will name and shame you,” she warned.

In his address, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai said that Kaduna State should be able to spend what it can generate from internally generated revenue. The ultimate aim is for Kaduna State to stop taking funds from the Federation Account.

“We have a lot of data on land ownership. We are going to make that freely available to the tax authorities. We are also looking at people's bank accounts. You see people with tons of cash domiciled with banks in Kaduna and yet these people will claim that they do not live in Kaduna.

“VAIDS is an opportunity for everyone to come clean. I have declared

my assets in 2017. We are not in government to make money for ourselves. Many of the big shots do not like us but the common man supports us because we are building roads and other infrastructure.

“Fowler was the person who made Lagos State independent of getting funds from the Federation Account and because of that God gave him more responsibility at the federal level,” El- Rufai said.

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler enjoined the residents of Kaduna State to join hands in order for Kaduna to have the funds that will develop the state. He reminded everyone that Nigeria is a beautiful country that we have to come together to develop.

“VAIDS gives you the opportunity to pay outstanding tax liabilities over a period of three years. You have the guarantee that you w i l l no t be prosecuted if you declare under the scheme. As tax administrators we are collecting this money on your behalf. A government that desires to provide for its citizens is a government that should be applauded,” Fowler remarked.

To c e l e b r a t e v o l u n t a r y t a x compliance, an award was given to the most consistent taxpayer in Kaduna State. Dr Lema Jibril, Dan Iyan Katsina, b u s i n e s s m o g u l a n d o n e t i m e presidential candidate was honoured for paying his taxes as and when due for the past forty years without fail. The Governor of Kaduna State said that the example of tax compliance set by the elder statesman should be emulated by all Nigerians in order to move the country forward.

Kaduna State holds VAIDS interactive session

By Umar Yusuf Usman

The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasiru El Rufai; the MD Nigeria Ports, Authority Hadiza Bala Usman; the Hon Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and the Executive Chairman, FIRS

PHOTO SPLASH

The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Peter Hena lifting the certificate and trophy pressented to FIRS during the

NTA ISP integrity and National Service Award

The Executive Chairman addressing His Royal Highness, the Ataoja of Osogbo

The Executive Chairman and staff of the Benue, Kaduna, and Niger State Coordination office in Kaduna


The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Peter Hena receiving the NTA ISP Integrity and National Service award certificate

on behalf of FIRS from Sen. Abdullahi Adamu

The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group; the Executive Chairman and the newly promoted Chief Security Officer to the Executive Chairman, Deputy Superintendent, Idowu Olatunji

PHOTO SPLASH


Participants at the opening ceremony of the 140th Joint Tax Board meeting in Osogbo

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and the Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, at the

NTA ISP Integrity and National Service Awards

The Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina and the Secretary Joint,

Tax Board during the 30th anniversary of the FRSC lecture

Representatives of FIRS and representatives of the Kingdom of Suadi Arabia in a group photograph during the negotiations for a Double

Taxation Agreement between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia

Richard Kramer, Okechukwu Enalemah and the Executive Chairman on the panel during the launch of Andersen Tax in Lagos

Members of the Joint Tax Board at the 140th meeting in OsogboThe Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and the Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina

at the launch of Andersen Tax in Lagos

PHOTO SPLASH

The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Peter Hena lifting the certificate and trophy pressented to FIRS during the

NTA ISP integrity and National Service Award

The Executive Chairman addressing His Royal Highness, the Ataoja of Osogbo

The Executive Chairman and staff of the Benue, Kaduna, and Niger State Coordination office in Kaduna


The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, Peter Hena receiving the NTA ISP Integrity and National Service award certificate

on behalf of FIRS from Sen. Abdullahi Adamu

The Coordinating Director, Support Services Group; the Executive Chairman and the newly promoted Chief Security Officer to the Executive Chairman, Deputy Superintendent, Idowu Olatunji

PHOTO SPLASH


Participants at the opening ceremony of the 140th Joint Tax Board meeting in Osogbo

The Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) and the Coordinating Director, Support Services Group, at the

NTA ISP Integrity and National Service Awards

The Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina and the Secretary Joint,

Tax Board during the 30th anniversary of the FRSC lecture

Representatives of FIRS and representatives of the Kingdom of Suadi Arabia in a group photograph during the negotiations for a Double

Taxation Agreement between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia

Richard Kramer, Okechukwu Enalemah and the Executive Chairman on the panel during the launch of Andersen Tax in Lagos

Members of the Joint Tax Board at the 140th meeting in OsogboThe Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and the Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina

at the launch of Andersen Tax in Lagos

PHOTO SPLASH


Dancers entertaining guests at a dinner in honour of the TADAT team at the Blue Cabana Restaurant in Abuja

Inductees at the 38th Induction Ceremony of the CITNL-R Kunle Elebute, KPMG; Ayodele Subair, Executive Chairman, LIRS; Tola Adeyemi, KPMG; Executive Chairman, FIRS; Yimika Adeboye,

Cadbury Nig Plc and Wole Obayomi, KPMG at the KPMG CFO Forum

Elfrieda Stewart Tamba trying out a Nupe dance during a dinner honouring WATAF delegates

Former Executive Chairman, FIRS, Ifueko Omoigui Okauru at the Andersen Tax launch

His Royal Highness, the Etsu of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu and the Executive Chairman when the royal father visited Revenue House

he Management teams of the

TFederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are to deepen and strengthen their collaboration to track both individuals and organisations who refuse to pay the right taxes.

The partnership will beam searchlights on defaulting taxpayers who also refused to rely on the Federal Government's tax amnesty programme: Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to offset their tax liabilities.

Already, the FIRS-EFCC partnership has led to the recovery of the sum of N29 billion in Withholding Tax from banks and other financial institutions in the country between November 2017 and March 2018.

At a meeting recently at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Chairman FIRS, Tunde Fowler said Nigeria, just like other countries across

the world, is looking inwards to raise the economic base and would not tolerate tax defaulters.

Said Fowler: “There are some issues of non-remittance of Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax and Personal Income Tax. The EFCC has provided its support to us before. When tax defaulters are invited to your office (EFCC), we see results. I don't know how you do it but we see results. Recently, two banks came forward to comply on their own. I think that they must have heard that you were scrutinising banks. We want joint assistance with the EFCC, especially now that VAIDS is almost over, to make sure that all tax defaulters get the right treatment according to the law.

“I want to let every taxable person in Nigeria know that we are ready to deploy all powers within our disposal to ensure that every tax defaulter is punished according to the law.”

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said the EFCC is ready to do more to bring culprits to book. He

said: “People are in a hurry to collect taxes but are reluctant to remit them. It is very distressing. We may put a team together to ensure that whatever taxes collected by anyone are remitted and on time.

“I also want to congratulate you (FIRS) because of the change in the narrative. There is no doubt that there is a real improvement in our tax system. We will collaborate. We had done this in the past when we had a joint training in Kaduna. We will make sure that we do anything you ask us to do as far as it is lawful.”

The EFCC boss urged every Nigerian to join in the fight against corruption, saying everyone has a role to play. “Everyone has the responsibility to fight corruption. You may not do it the way Magu does it but the best approach is for us to agree that corruption is bad. I appeal to everyone to fight corruption even at the home front. We should tell our children that corruption is bad”, he said.

FIRS, EFCC partner to track tax defaulters as VAIDS ends…Recover N29billion from Withholding Tax/VAT in 5 months

By Kelechukwu Okoronkwo

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu presenting a plaque to the Executive Chairman

NEWS

PHOTO SPLASH


Dancers entertaining guests at a dinner in honour of the TADAT team at the Blue Cabana Restaurant in Abuja

Inductees at the 38th Induction Ceremony of the CITNL-R Kunle Elebute, KPMG; Ayodele Subair, Executive Chairman, LIRS; Tola Adeyemi, KPMG; Executive Chairman, FIRS; Yimika Adeboye,

Cadbury Nig Plc and Wole Obayomi, KPMG at the KPMG CFO Forum

Elfrieda Stewart Tamba trying out a Nupe dance during a dinner honouring WATAF delegates

Former Executive Chairman, FIRS, Ifueko Omoigui Okauru at the Andersen Tax launch

His Royal Highness, the Etsu of Agaie, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu and the Executive Chairman when the royal father visited Revenue House

he Management teams of the

TFederal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and

Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are to deepen and strengthen their collaboration to track both individuals and organisations who refuse to pay the right taxes.

The partnership will beam searchlights on defaulting taxpayers who also refused to rely on the Federal Government's tax amnesty programme: Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to offset their tax liabilities.

Already, the FIRS-EFCC partnership has led to the recovery of the sum of N29 billion in Withholding Tax from banks and other financial institutions in the country between November 2017 and March 2018.

At a meeting recently at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Chairman FIRS, Tunde Fowler said Nigeria, just like other countries across

the world, is looking inwards to raise the economic base and would not tolerate tax defaulters.

Said Fowler: “There are some issues of non-remittance of Withholding Tax, Value Added Tax and Personal Income Tax. The EFCC has provided its support to us before. When tax defaulters are invited to your office (EFCC), we see results. I don't know how you do it but we see results. Recently, two banks came forward to comply on their own. I think that they must have heard that you were scrutinising banks. We want joint assistance with the EFCC, especially now that VAIDS is almost over, to make sure that all tax defaulters get the right treatment according to the law.

“I want to let every taxable person in Nigeria know that we are ready to deploy all powers within our disposal to ensure that every tax defaulter is punished according to the law.”

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, said the EFCC is ready to do more to bring culprits to book. He

said: “People are in a hurry to collect taxes but are reluctant to remit them. It is very distressing. We may put a team together to ensure that whatever taxes collected by anyone are remitted and on time.

“I also want to congratulate you (FIRS) because of the change in the narrative. There is no doubt that there is a real improvement in our tax system. We will collaborate. We had done this in the past when we had a joint training in Kaduna. We will make sure that we do anything you ask us to do as far as it is lawful.”

The EFCC boss urged every Nigerian to join in the fight against corruption, saying everyone has a role to play. “Everyone has the responsibility to fight corruption. You may not do it the way Magu does it but the best approach is for us to agree that corruption is bad. I appeal to everyone to fight corruption even at the home front. We should tell our children that corruption is bad”, he said.

FIRS, EFCC partner to track tax defaulters as VAIDS ends…Recover N29billion from Withholding Tax/VAT in 5 months

By Kelechukwu Okoronkwo

The Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu presenting a plaque to the Executive Chairman

NEWS


CIBN assures revenue boost via partnership

he Federal Inland Revenue Service

T(FIRS) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), have

jointly agreed to hone their existing relationship through capacity development to deliver FIRS' revenue mandate.

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler affirmed the institute's support for the Service while addressing the CIBN delegation, led by its Chairman, Prof. Segun Ajibola, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Revenue House boardroom in Abuja.

In his remarks, Fowler said that the mandate of the African Union (AU) is to ensure that all African countries provide enough funding through taxation to sustain their economies and that Nigeria is no exception.

“As you are aware, if the banking sector is sick, the economy likewise will be sick, we must therefore bear in mind that as the economy grows, it grows

along with taxation and this gives us a reflection on the major role which the banking sector plays within our economy.”

The Executive Chairman further added that the only way to grow a good tax system, is by strengthening the operating system through laudable technology initiatives and at the same time ensuring prompt remittance of taxes to government.

Prof. Segun Ajibola, while commending the Service on an excellent performance of N4.3 trillion revenue collection in 2017, thanked the leadership for enforcing an efficient and transparent tax system in the country.

In his words, “We appreciate your ingenuity through the initiatives you have brought to bear on the activities of FIRS. With your pioneering efforts as the Executive Chairman, we do not expect anything less. We are also aware you are strengthening the operating system and modalities for Value Added Tax collection in the country to ensure prompt customer service delivery to stakeholders.”

Furthermore, he mentioned that there were quite a number of variances and scattered lists of bankers of Nigeria, but gave his assurance to partner with FIRS will help to reinforce both the capacity of the Service and CIBN to deliver their mandates accordingly.

He added that the use of information and communication technology tools as a means of achieving tax compliance in the FIRS is a commendable effort that is well appreciated in the banking system where disruptive technology is becoming a major jurisdiction issue.

However, Ajibola identified other critical issues hampering the efficient delivery of FIRS' and the Nigerian banking and finance industry's mandates to include exorbitant taxes levied by various State Boards of Internal Revenue, multiple demand notices from other agencies of government other than FIRS, multiple tax audit requests,

backlog of Stamp Duty payments by customers and frequent harassment of bank officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Executive Chairman mentioned that staff participation at the institute's annual conference is another measure that can help improve staff capacity, therefore, FIRS promised to provide sponsorship for staff attendance so as to help secure gainful revenue results for the Service. He also assured to resolve all issues raised in a manner that will improve quality service delivery to the body.

The institute is covered by the CIBN Act No. 5, (2007) to provide employee capacity, develop competency framework, promote and sustain high ethical standards and professionalism, and encourage good relationship among institutions and practitioners in the financial services industry.

By Ayorinde Aghede

The Executive Chairman and the CIBN Council

The Executive Chairman receiving a gift from the president of the CIBN

NEWS


CIBN assures revenue boost via partnership

he Federal Inland Revenue Service

T(FIRS) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), have

jointly agreed to hone their existing relationship through capacity development to deliver FIRS' revenue mandate.

The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler affirmed the institute's support for the Service while addressing the CIBN delegation, led by its Chairman, Prof. Segun Ajibola, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Revenue House boardroom in Abuja.

In his remarks, Fowler said that the mandate of the African Union (AU) is to ensure that all African countries provide enough funding through taxation to sustain their economies and that Nigeria is no exception.

“As you are aware, if the banking sector is sick, the economy likewise will be sick, we must therefore bear in mind that as the economy grows, it grows

along with taxation and this gives us a reflection on the major role which the banking sector plays within our economy.”

The Executive Chairman further added that the only way to grow a good tax system, is by strengthening the operating system through laudable technology initiatives and at the same time ensuring prompt remittance of taxes to government.

Prof. Segun Ajibola, while commending the Service on an excellent performance of N4.3 trillion revenue collection in 2017, thanked the leadership for enforcing an efficient and transparent tax system in the country.

In his words, “We appreciate your ingenuity through the initiatives you have brought to bear on the activities of FIRS. With your pioneering efforts as the Executive Chairman, we do not expect anything less. We are also aware you are strengthening the operating system and modalities for Value Added Tax collection in the country to ensure prompt customer service delivery to stakeholders.”

Furthermore, he mentioned that there were quite a number of variances and scattered lists of bankers of Nigeria, but gave his assurance to partner with FIRS will help to reinforce both the capacity of the Service and CIBN to deliver their mandates accordingly.

He added that the use of information and communication technology tools as a means of achieving tax compliance in the FIRS is a commendable effort that is well appreciated in the banking system where disruptive technology is becoming a major jurisdiction issue.

However, Ajibola identified other critical issues hampering the efficient delivery of FIRS' and the Nigerian banking and finance industry's mandates to include exorbitant taxes levied by various State Boards of Internal Revenue, multiple demand notices from other agencies of government other than FIRS, multiple tax audit requests,

backlog of Stamp Duty payments by customers and frequent harassment of bank officials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The Executive Chairman mentioned that staff participation at the institute's annual conference is another measure that can help improve staff capacity, therefore, FIRS promised to provide sponsorship for staff attendance so as to help secure gainful revenue results for the Service. He also assured to resolve all issues raised in a manner that will improve quality service delivery to the body.

The institute is covered by the CIBN Act No. 5, (2007) to provide employee capacity, develop competency framework, promote and sustain high ethical standards and professionalism, and encourage good relationship among institutions and practitioners in the financial services industry.

By Ayorinde Aghede

The Executive Chairman and the CIBN Council

The Executive Chairman receiving a gift from the president of the CIBN

NEWS


COVER


COVER

he Executive Chairman, Federal

TInland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, has charged the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commiss ion (EFCC) Detect ive Inspector Course 4 Cadets to demonstrate a high sense of loyalty and discipline in the execution of their duties in order to he lp government implement its policies successfully.

Speaking to the cadets at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja on the roles, functions and responsibilities of FIRS in ensuring prompt payment of taxes, the Executive Chairman said that FIRS required the agency's support in sustaining an increased revenue base for the economy.

According to Fowler, “As tax administrators, our job is to provide efficient services to taxpayers as well as convince taxpayers of their duty towards empowering government to finance its projects. We are certain that with your support and that of other government agencies, in addition to

our various innovations in FIRS, we will continue to increase tax collection and revenue generation.”

Furthermore, he reiterated the Service's efforts towards broadening the tax base through specific initiatives driven by collection targets which include: tax amnesty programme, intensive tax audit exercise, review and revision of the National Tax Policy, tax awareness init iat ive, taxpayer registration, Voluntary Assets and In come Dec l a ra t i on S cheme (VAIDS), multilateral and bilateral taxation agreements, amongst others.

While presenting the economic analysis of revenue proceeds over the last three years (2015-2017), the Executive Chairman highlighted the tax implications of oil against non-oil revenues. He added that government's focus is to diversify the economy in a manner that ensures taxes are generated to show basic profits.

On the impact of the VAIDS initiative, the Executive Chairman

disclosed that prior to the introduction of the scheme, it was challenging to track the status of non-compliance among taxpayers.

“VAIDS is a programme launched for indiv iduals and corporate organisations to encourage voluntary disclosure of previously undisclosed assets and incomes for payment purposes. As at today, FIRS has recovered over N17 billion as against the set target of about N305 billion. Every other country that adopted this scheme waited till the month to the end of the scheme and we equally know that Nigerians will want to delay until the last moment of the scheme,” He said.

The Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu thanked the Executive Chairman for empowering the knowledge base of the new recruits which he assured will secure for the cadets the professional competence required to discharge their duties as well as make a distinctive difference in the nation.

he Post-mortem Sub-Committee of

Tthe Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) recently came

on a courtesy call to Revenue House. The Sub-Committee was led on the visit by its Chairman, Dr Casimir Anyanwu, a Commissioner in FAAC.

The Sub-Committee Chairman said that he and his team came to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as part of its function of trouble-shooting any crises that may arise from the FAAC allocations. The Sub-Committee is saddled with the responsibility of examining the books of accounts of all revenue generating agencies, including FIRS, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the Department of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Mines and Steel among others. It investigates and reports any deficiencies observed to the FAAC and makes recommendations on the way forward.

Regarding FIRS, Dr Anyanwu said, “We want to congratulate you on your collection performance in 2017 as you collected about 93% of your revenue target. We also want to congratulate you on your efforts in sensitising taxpayers on compliance.

“This administration is very much interested in generating non-oil revenues. We want to see how you generated the collection last year. We would like to see how you achieved what you achieved. We know you will do better and we hope that you will overshoot your target.”

Responding to the Sub-Committee Chairman, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler said, “We were able to move from N3.3 trillion in 2016 to N4.03 trillion last year, an increase of N700 billion. However, we did not do well in Value Added Tax (VAT) because most states and local governments have not been remitting VAT.

“We have had a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor's Forum and the Chairman of the State Commissioners of Finance on how we can resolve this. In the past quarter some of them could not remit VAT to the Federation Account. Those who have not remitted will be taken off budget support. We have also requested that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission deduct VAT and Withholding Tax at source by the FAAC from the allocations of those states that are not remitting.

“As a tax administration we are aware that without transparency, convenience and efficiency you cannot grow that tax base. We should work together with

states and other revenue generating agencies to develop a reliable and transparent tax system.

“We have deployed many online platforms for taxpayers to carry out tax transactions. For example we used to have manual stamp duty machines in only fourteen locations but now we have 100 stamping machines all over the country and you can also do other stamp duty transactions online.

“We are steadily building the number of registered taxpayers. In 2017 the number stood at 17 million. Kano State saw the highest increase with over 900,000 taxpayers registered. FIRS registered about 500,000 corporate taxpayers but we found that some of these companies were just shell companies.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is known for his love of Nigeria. His dedication to serve is borne out by the fact that he contested elections three to four times in order to serve. As tax administrators we are paid to do this job but we should also do it for love of our country.

“If taxpayers refuse to accept our cordial approach we will resort to enforce compliance. We believe that whatever we do should be backed by law. We will not do anything that is not enshrined in the law.”

Fowler engagesEFCC cadets

By Ayorinde Aghede

FAAC Post-mortem Sub-Committee visits FIRS

By Umar Yusuf Usman

EFCC cadets with management of FIRS and EFCC

The Executive Chairman, FIRS and the FAAC Commissioner, Dr Casimir Anyanwu

NEWS NEWS


COVER


COVER


TInland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler, has charged the

Economic and Financial Crimes Commiss ion (EFCC) Detect ive Inspector Course 4 Cadets to demonstrate a high sense of loyalty and discipline in the execution of their duties in order to he lp government implement its policies successfully.

Speaking to the cadets at the EFCC Academy, Karu, Abuja on the roles, functions and responsibilities of FIRS in ensuring prompt payment of taxes, the Executive Chairman said that FIRS required the agency's support in sustaining an increased revenue base for the economy.

According to Fowler, “As tax administrators, our job is to provide efficient services to taxpayers as well as convince taxpayers of their duty towards empowering government to finance its projects. We are certain that with your support and that of other government agencies, in addition to

our various innovations in FIRS, we will continue to increase tax collection and revenue generation.”

Furthermore, he reiterated the Service's efforts towards broadening the tax base through specific initiatives driven by collection targets which include: tax amnesty programme, intensive tax audit exercise, review and revision of the National Tax Policy, tax awareness init iat ive, taxpayer registration, Voluntary Assets and In come Dec l a ra t i on S cheme (VAIDS), multilateral and bilateral taxation agreements, amongst others.

While presenting the economic analysis of revenue proceeds over the last three years (2015-2017), the Executive Chairman highlighted the tax implications of oil against non-oil revenues. He added that government's focus is to diversify the economy in a manner that ensures taxes are generated to show basic profits.

On the impact of the VAIDS initiative, the Executive Chairman

disclosed that prior to the introduction of the scheme, it was challenging to track the status of non-compliance among taxpayers.

“VAIDS is a programme launched for indiv iduals and corporate organisations to encourage voluntary disclosure of previously undisclosed assets and incomes for payment purposes. As at today, FIRS has recovered over N17 billion as against the set target of about N305 billion. Every other country that adopted this scheme waited till the month to the end of the scheme and we equally know that Nigerians will want to delay until the last moment of the scheme,” He said.

The Acting Chairman, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu thanked the Executive Chairman for empowering the knowledge base of the new recruits which he assured will secure for the cadets the professional competence required to discharge their duties as well as make a distinctive difference in the nation.

he Post-mortem Sub-Committee of

Tthe Federal Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) recently came

on a courtesy call to Revenue House. The Sub-Committee was led on the visit by its Chairman, Dr Casimir Anyanwu, a Commissioner in FAAC.

The Sub-Committee Chairman said that he and his team came to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as part of its function of trouble-shooting any crises that may arise from the FAAC allocations. The Sub-Committee is saddled with the responsibility of examining the books of accounts of all revenue generating agencies, including FIRS, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, the Department of Petroleum Resources, the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Ministry of Mines and Steel among others. It investigates and reports any deficiencies observed to the FAAC and makes recommendations on the way forward.

Regarding FIRS, Dr Anyanwu said, “We want to congratulate you on your collection performance in 2017 as you collected about 93% of your revenue target. We also want to congratulate you on your efforts in sensitising taxpayers on compliance.

“This administration is very much interested in generating non-oil revenues. We want to see how you generated the collection last year. We would like to see how you achieved what you achieved. We know you will do better and we hope that you will overshoot your target.”

Responding to the Sub-Committee Chairman, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler said, “We were able to move from N3.3 trillion in 2016 to N4.03 trillion last year, an increase of N700 billion. However, we did not do well in Value Added Tax (VAT) because most states and local governments have not been remitting VAT.

“We have had a meeting with the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor's Forum and the Chairman of the State Commissioners of Finance on how we can resolve this. In the past quarter some of them could not remit VAT to the Federation Account. Those who have not remitted will be taken off budget support. We have also requested that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission deduct VAT and Withholding Tax at source by the FAAC from the allocations of those states that are not remitting.

“As a tax administration we are aware that without transparency, convenience and efficiency you cannot grow that tax base. We should work together with

states and other revenue generating agencies to develop a reliable and transparent tax system.

“We have deployed many online platforms for taxpayers to carry out tax transactions. For example we used to have manual stamp duty machines in only fourteen locations but now we have 100 stamping machines all over the country and you can also do other stamp duty transactions online.

“We are steadily building the number of registered taxpayers. In 2017 the number stood at 17 million. Kano State saw the highest increase with over 900,000 taxpayers registered. FIRS registered about 500,000 corporate taxpayers but we found that some of these companies were just shell companies.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is known for his love of Nigeria. His dedication to serve is borne out by the fact that he contested elections three to four times in order to serve. As tax administrators we are paid to do this job but we should also do it for love of our country.

“If taxpayers refuse to accept our cordial approach we will resort to enforce compliance. We believe that whatever we do should be backed by law. We will not do anything that is not enshrined in the law.”

Fowler engagesEFCC cadets

By Ayorinde Aghede

FAAC Post-mortem Sub-Committee visits FIRS

By Umar Yusuf Usman

EFCC cadets with management of FIRS and EFCC

The Executive Chairman, FIRS and the FAAC Commissioner, Dr Casimir Anyanwu

NEWS NEWS


SECURITY AND SAFETY


NEWS

t is a crime that no woman likes to think

Iabout, yet it happens every day. In a news report released some time ago by

an online news media in the United States, a mother in her mid-30s parked her minivan alongside a busy book store, then went about her day of shopping at a mall. According to the property manager, the shopping center was as busy as ever and the parking lot was packed. Later that afternoon, when the woman returned to her vehicle, two men grabbed her and dragged her behind the bookstore. It was there that she was raped in broad daylight in an empty loading dock and walled off enclosure. A look in our national dailies here in Nigeria shows the increasing trend in crimes against women and female children. The rape of the girl child by neighbors, family and members of the public have been and is still on the front burner of newspaper and other media reports.

It's a tragic story, but it is a reality no woman should ignore. Although it's easy to think such a crime will never happen to you, the choices you make each day could make you the target of one or more sordid individuals.

Today's crime statistics indicate women are more commonly the victims of crime compared to men. This is because the majority of today's criminals are males, many of whom view women as being a lot easier to dominate and overpower. Of course, women are quite capable of fighting off their assailants. But do you really want to find out if that's something you can do? Surely not.

Although there's no fool-proof way to

stop crime, by incorporating the following safety and security tips into your daily life, you can significantly decrease your chance of becoming a victim. Please note that this however is not an exhaustive list.

Tips for Women1: Always be alert and aware of your

surroundings. No matter if you're walking outside to check the mail or returning to your car after picking up a few things from the grocery store, be vigilant of your surroundings at all times. Look all around, including your “Six”—a military term for "watch your back"—to ensure no one is following you or loitering nearby.

2: Avoid texting on your cell phone when out in a public place. To be aware of your surroundings, you need to be free of distractions. So, if you're going to be walking around the mall, put away your cell phone and pay attention.

3: Park in areas that are well lit and where people can see you. Avoid parking in areas that are dimly lit or secluded. The more light and the more people there are, the less risk you have of being targeted by a hoodlum. If at any time you don't feel comfortable walking from a store to your car, listen to your gut and ask for an escort. If the store doesn't have a security guard on hand, a store employee or two will do.

4: Have your car keys in hand before walking to your car. Don't wait until you get to your car to find your keys. Retrieving them from your purse before you leave your house, your office, or the store will eliminate the distraction of trying to find them as you walk to your car. If you have a newer model vehicle, don't forget about the "panic button" on your keychain (key fob). Pushing the button will sound the horn of your car like an alarm, signaling passerby's

that you may be in trouble.5: In addition to checking your

surroundings, check the interior of your vehicle before entering it. Some criminals will hide near or inside a targeted victim's vehicle. No matter if your car is parked at home, at work, or at a local shopping center, always look inside and around your vehicle as you approach it.

6: Vary your daily routine. Some perpetrators look for patterns in their victims' routines and behavior. Knowing when their victims come and go makes it much easier for criminals to carry out their crimes without getting caught. Varying the time you arrive home from work or school and the route you take home can decrease your risk of being targeted. If you walk the dog or jog around your neighborhood at a certain time of day, be sure to change the timeframe and the route as frequently as possible.

7: When agreeing to meet with someone you don't know very well, meet in a public place. Many women meet men online these days, but that doesn't mean every man you meet has good intentions. If you're going to meet someone that you don't know all that well in person, be sure to arrange the meeting in a public place. Do not allow a man you've just met to take you to a secluded area, no matter how nice and innocent he may appear. Also, be sure you tell someone you know about where you wi l l be, along with any personal information you have on the individual you're meeting, including their name, phone number, etc. In addition, never share where you live or any other private information with someone you've just met.

Don't take safety for granted. Your well-being is your sole responsibility. Keep your eyes open and look out for yourself. While you're at it, open the eyes of other women you know by sharing these potentially life-saving tips with them. In doing so, you just might prevent your best friend, your sister, or your mother from becoming the next female crime victim.

Safety and security tips for female staff The Executive Chairman presenting a plaque of appreciation

to the Lead Assessor of the TADAT team, Henry Gaperi

TADAT: Leading an affective tax assessment system

n a bid to achieve an effective tax

Iadministration system, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has

engaged a team of tax experts affiliated with the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT), to identify issues hampering the country’s tax system and devise a management approach in resolving them in a systematic way.

The team under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Henry Gaperi, is to conduct a three-week assessment on the tax structure in Nigeria

th thbetween 19 February and 11 March 2018 in order to achieve the objective execution of a standardized performance assessment in tax administration.

Welcoming the TADAT team, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler said that his admiration for the Canadian tax system is widely known even though Nigeria may seem not to have all the right ideas to replicate the same. He also stated that the decision to partner with the TADAT team is one of the best decisions ever taken by FIRS.

“This is a project which is intended to establish corrections and improvements. We are willing to establish a good federal tax system and also hopeful that by the end of the exercise, we would have achieved gainful experience and the desired ability to greatly increase non-oil tax collection,” he remarked.

He furthermore urged Management’s support in ensuring that the project yields the required results to achieve improved Service operations.

In a presentation by the team lead, Gaperi explained that TADAT evolved around nine performance outcome areas under which there are twenty-eight high level indicators and forty-nine measured and scored dimensions respectively.

This is intended to increase the desired outcome in the level of integrity of tax the database, ef fect ive r isk management, supporting voluntary compl iance, t imely f i l ing of tax declarations, timely payment of taxes, accurate reporting in declarations, effective tax dispute resolution, efficient revenue management, as well as accountability and transparency.

According to him, “In Nigeria, revenue collection basically is sought from different sectors through which TADAT seeks to identify strengths and weaknesses existing within the tax system, tackle relative indices and tax concerns, provide adequate stakeholders mobilization and deliver an objective and

consistent mechanism that will further enhance optimum revenue collection.”

He went on to congratulate the E xe cu t i v e Cha i rman and o t h e r Management staff for the acceptance of TADAT, which is believed will improve the overa l l tax system fo l lowing i ts completion.

rdFIRS is positioned as the 43 globally a s se s sed i n s t i t u t i on unde r t he partnership of TADAT.

TADAT OverviewThe Tax Administration Diagnostic

Assessment Tool (TADAT) is designed to provide an objective assessment of the health of key components of a country’s system of tax administration. This framework is focused on the nine key performance outcome areas (POAs) that cover most tax administration functions, processes and ins t i tu t ions . The assessment of these performance outcome areas is based on 28 high-level indicators that are each built on 1 to 4 dimensions that together add up to 47 measurement dimensions, making TA D AT a c o m p r e h e n s i v e b u t administrable diagnostic tool. The TADAT assessments are particularly helpful in:

· Iden t i fy i ng the re l a t i ve strengths and weaknesses in tax administration systems, processes, and institutions.

· Facilitating a shared view on the condition of the system of tax administration among all stakeholders (e.g., country authorit ies, international organizations, donor countries,

and technical ass istance providers).

· Setting the reform agenda, including reform objectives, priorities, initiatives, and implementation sequencing.

· Facilitating management and coordinat ion of external support for reforms, and achieving faster and more efficient implementation.

· Monitoring and evaluating reform progress by way of s u b s e q u e n t r e p e a t assessments.

TADAT focuses on the performance of the major national taxes: Companies Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Value Added Tax (VAT) (or its indirect tax equivalent such as sales tax), and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) amounts withheld by employers (which, strictly speaking, are remittances of PIT). Social security contributions (SSCs) may also be included in assessments where SSCs are a major source of government revenue and are collected by the tax administration, as is the case in many European countries.

Trained assessors will apply the TADAT methodology. They will be guided by approved and standardized terms of reference and standards set out in the TADAT Assessor Field Guide.

The TADAT Secretariat will review performance assessment reports to ensure quality standards are met and consistency is maintained.

TADAT PartnersTADAT is supported by international

By Ayorinde Aghede

By Bruke Emeriewen


SECURITY AND SAFETY


NEWS

t is a crime that no woman likes to think

Iabout, yet it happens every day. In a news report released some time ago by

an online news media in the United States, a mother in her mid-30s parked her minivan alongside a busy book store, then went about her day of shopping at a mall. According to the property manager, the shopping center was as busy as ever and the parking lot was packed. Later that afternoon, when the woman returned to her vehicle, two men grabbed her and dragged her behind the bookstore. It was there that she was raped in broad daylight in an empty loading dock and walled off enclosure. A look in our national dailies here in Nigeria shows the increasing trend in crimes against women and female children. The rape of the girl child by neighbors, family and members of the public have been and is still on the front burner of newspaper and other media reports.

It's a tragic story, but it is a reality no woman should ignore. Although it's easy to think such a crime will never happen to you, the choices you make each day could make you the target of one or more sordid individuals.

Today's crime statistics indicate women are more commonly the victims of crime compared to men. This is because the majority of today's criminals are males, many of whom view women as being a lot easier to dominate and overpower. Of course, women are quite capable of fighting off their assailants. But do you really want to find out if that's something you can do? Surely not.

Although there's no fool-proof way to

stop crime, by incorporating the following safety and security tips into your daily life, you can significantly decrease your chance of becoming a victim. Please note that this however is not an exhaustive list.

Tips for Women1: Always be alert and aware of your

surroundings. No matter if you're walking outside to check the mail or returning to your car after picking up a few things from the grocery store, be vigilant of your surroundings at all times. Look all around, including your “Six”—a military term for "watch your back"—to ensure no one is following you or loitering nearby.

2: Avoid texting on your cell phone when out in a public place. To be aware of your surroundings, you need to be free of distractions. So, if you're going to be walking around the mall, put away your cell phone and pay attention.

3: Park in areas that are well lit and where people can see you. Avoid parking in areas that are dimly lit or secluded. The more light and the more people there are, the less risk you have of being targeted by a hoodlum. If at any time you don't feel comfortable walking from a store to your car, listen to your gut and ask for an escort. If the store doesn't have a security guard on hand, a store employee or two will do.

4: Have your car keys in hand before walking to your car. Don't wait until you get to your car to find your keys. Retrieving them from your purse before you leave your house, your office, or the store will eliminate the distraction of trying to find them as you walk to your car. If you have a newer model vehicle, don't forget about the "panic button" on your keychain (key fob). Pushing the button will sound the horn of your car like an alarm, signaling passerby's

that you may be in trouble.5: In addition to checking your

surroundings, check the interior of your vehicle before entering it. Some criminals will hide near or inside a targeted victim's vehicle. No matter if your car is parked at home, at work, or at a local shopping center, always look inside and around your vehicle as you approach it.

6: Vary your daily routine. Some perpetrators look for patterns in their victims' routines and behavior. Knowing when their victims come and go makes it much easier for criminals to carry out their crimes without getting caught. Varying the time you arrive home from work or school and the route you take home can decrease your risk of being targeted. If you walk the dog or jog around your neighborhood at a certain time of day, be sure to change the timeframe and the route as frequently as possible.

7: When agreeing to meet with someone you don't know very well, meet in a public place. Many women meet men online these days, but that doesn't mean every man you meet has good intentions. If you're going to meet someone that you don't know all that well in person, be sure to arrange the meeting in a public place. Do not allow a man you've just met to take you to a secluded area, no matter how nice and innocent he may appear. Also, be sure you tell someone you know about where you wi l l be, along with any personal information you have on the individual you're meeting, including their name, phone number, etc. In addition, never share where you live or any other private information with someone you've just met.

Don't take safety for granted. Your well-being is your sole responsibility. Keep your eyes open and look out for yourself. While you're at it, open the eyes of other women you know by sharing these potentially life-saving tips with them. In doing so, you just might prevent your best friend, your sister, or your mother from becoming the next female crime victim.

Safety and security tips for female staff The Executive Chairman presenting a plaque of appreciation

to the Lead Assessor of the TADAT team, Henry Gaperi


n a bid to achieve an effective tax

Iadministration system, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has

engaged a team of tax experts affiliated with the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT), to identify issues hampering the country’s tax system and devise a management approach in resolving them in a systematic way.

The team under the International Monetary Fund (IMF), led by Mr. Henry Gaperi, is to conduct a three-week assessment on the tax structure in Nigeria

th thbetween 19 February and 11 March 2018 in order to achieve the objective execution of a standardized performance assessment in tax administration.

Welcoming the TADAT team, the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler said that his admiration for the Canadian tax system is widely known even though Nigeria may seem not to have all the right ideas to replicate the same. He also stated that the decision to partner with the TADAT team is one of the best decisions ever taken by FIRS.

“This is a project which is intended to establish corrections and improvements. We are willing to establish a good federal tax system and also hopeful that by the end of the exercise, we would have achieved gainful experience and the desired ability to greatly increase non-oil tax collection,” he remarked.

He furthermore urged Management’s support in ensuring that the project yields the required results to achieve improved Service operations.

In a presentation by the team lead, Gaperi explained that TADAT evolved around nine performance outcome areas under which there are twenty-eight high level indicators and forty-nine measured and scored dimensions respectively.

This is intended to increase the desired outcome in the level of integrity of tax the database, ef fect ive r isk management, supporting voluntary compl iance, t imely f i l ing of tax declarations, timely payment of taxes, accurate reporting in declarations, effective tax dispute resolution, efficient revenue management, as well as accountability and transparency.

According to him, “In Nigeria, revenue collection basically is sought from different sectors through which TADAT seeks to identify strengths and weaknesses existing within the tax system, tackle relative indices and tax concerns, provide adequate stakeholders mobilization and deliver an objective and

consistent mechanism that will further enhance optimum revenue collection.”

He went on to congratulate the E xe cu t i v e Cha i rman and o t h e r Management staff for the acceptance of TADAT, which is believed will improve the overa l l tax system fo l lowing i ts completion.

rdFIRS is positioned as the 43 globally a s se s sed i n s t i t u t i on unde r t he partnership of TADAT.

TADAT OverviewThe Tax Administration Diagnostic

Assessment Tool (TADAT) is designed to provide an objective assessment of the health of key components of a country’s system of tax administration. This framework is focused on the nine key performance outcome areas (POAs) that cover most tax administration functions, processes and ins t i tu t ions . The assessment of these performance outcome areas is based on 28 high-level indicators that are each built on 1 to 4 dimensions that together add up to 47 measurement dimensions, making TA D AT a c o m p r e h e n s i v e b u t administrable diagnostic tool. The TADAT assessments are particularly helpful in:

· Iden t i fy i ng the re l a t i ve strengths and weaknesses in tax administration systems, processes, and institutions.

· Facilitating a shared view on the condition of the system of tax administration among all stakeholders (e.g., country authorit ies, international organizations, donor countries,

and technical ass istance providers).

· Setting the reform agenda, including reform objectives, priorities, initiatives, and implementation sequencing.

· Facilitating management and coordinat ion of external support for reforms, and achieving faster and more efficient implementation.

· Monitoring and evaluating reform progress by way of s u b s e q u e n t r e p e a t assessments.

TADAT focuses on the performance of the major national taxes: Companies Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax (PIT), Value Added Tax (VAT) (or its indirect tax equivalent such as sales tax), and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) amounts withheld by employers (which, strictly speaking, are remittances of PIT). Social security contributions (SSCs) may also be included in assessments where SSCs are a major source of government revenue and are collected by the tax administration, as is the case in many European countries.

Trained assessors will apply the TADAT methodology. They will be guided by approved and standardized terms of reference and standards set out in the TADAT Assessor Field Guide.

The TADAT Secretariat will review performance assessment reports to ensure quality standards are met and consistency is maintained.

TADAT PartnersTADAT is supported by international

By Ayorinde Aghede

By Bruke Emeriewen


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development partners and institutions. They include the European Commission, Germany, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the World Bank.

Steering CommitteeThe Steer ing Committee (SC)

comprises representat ives of the Contributors to the TADAT sub-account, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank (the TADAT Partners). The SC members e lec t a cha i r amongst

themselves by consensus. The term of the chair is one year. The chair determines the agenda for SC meetings, with advice from the Secretariat.

The responsibilities of the SC are to:· Provide strategic guidance and

oversight of the ongoing development of the TADAT program;

· Set the objectives, targets, and scope of activities of the TADAT program;

· Mobilize the resources needed to implement the TADAT

program;· Determine the operational

strategies and procedures for the program activities;

· Dec ide the annua l work program and budgets of the TADAT Secretariat;

· D e t e r m i n e a p p r o p r i a t e commun i ca t i on /ou t reach s t ra teg ies w i th ex te rna l stakeholders; and

· Set terms of reference for the SC and the Technical Advisory Group.

SecretariatThe TADAT Secretariat comprises a

Head, three technical experts, a projects assistant, and an employee providing administrative support. Under the guidance of the Steering Committee, and in line with the Program Document, the TADAT Secretariat plans, implements, and monitors the TADAT program. More specifically, the Secretariat’s main responsibilities are to:

· provide secretariat support to the TADAT SC;

· propose operational strategies and procedures for SC consideration and endorsement;

· propose the annual TADAT work plan and budget for consideration and final decision by the SC; undertake the custodial role of the TADAT brand, including the management of the website dedicated to the TADAT tool;

· provide services and set up processes and procedures that promote and monitor the delivery of high quality assessments, including, for example, through implementing an assessor accreditation process and establishing ex-post quality controls;

· consult and coordinate with the TADAT partners and other stakeholders as needed;

· provide (directly or through trusted partners) services related to TADAT activities, such as assessor training; report to the SC, through periodic monitoring reports and special studies, on progress in implementing the annual work plans and budgets, as well as on progress against operational targets; and

· represent the TADAT externally, in consultation with the SC Chair, as needed.

Justin ZakeUnit ChiefMr. Justin Zake, a Ugandan

national, is the Chief of Unit, TADAT Secretariat a position he has held since mid-September, 2014. He is responsible for supervision of the TADAT Secretariat’s work including strategy and work plan development. Among the positions he has held before include Commissioner VAT - Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Deputy Commissioner General – URA, Resident Revenue

Administration Advisor, IMF East AFRITAC and Senior Economist, Fiscal Affairs Department in Revenue Administration Division 1. He has participated in and led missions in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe. He has over 24 years experience in tax administration.

Munawer Khwaja Technical Assistance Advisor

Munawer Khwaja, a Canadian and US national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. Prior to joining the IMF, he worked in the World Bank since 2006 as Lead Tax Policy and Administration Specialist. Prior to the Bank, he worked on tax reform issues in a variety of settings: as Senior Manager in KPMG Consulting (BearingPoint Inc.), as Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute for International Development, as Director Central Fiscal Authority in the UN Mission in Kosovo, as Director Tax Policy in the Ministry of Finance of India and as Deputy Commissioner in the Indian Revenue Service. He has a DESS from the Universite de Paris-Dauphine, an MPA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Law from Delhi University.

Monica Calijuri Technical Assistance Advisor

Monica Calijuri , a Brazilian national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. She joined to IMF in 2014. She worked at CAPTAC-DR, providing technical assistance to Tax Administrations in Central America countries, Panama and Dominican Republic, before joining to TADAT Secretariat. Prior to that, she worked for Brazilian Federal Tax Revenue Administration as head of Large Taxpayer Office, head of International Tax Affairs Office, Counselor at Tax Administrative Court and others. She was also a professor of tax accounting, international taxation and controllership. She has an accounting PHD degree from Sao Paulo University, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics.

Maimbo Nyanga Technical Assistance Advisor

Maimbo Nyanga, a Zambian national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. Prior to joining the Fund, he worked for Zambia Revenue Authority for over 14 years. He was Director for the Research and Planning. Before that he was Executive Assistant to the Commissioner General. He participated in a number of tax policy review processes and preparation of the national budget over years. Earlier on he worked in Budget Office on tax and

expenditure policies and later in the Directorate of Macroeconomic Policy Analysis in the Ministry of Finance. He has a Master’s Degree in international and development economics from the University of Namur in Belgium and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Zambia.

TADAT FAQs1.0 What is TADAT?TADAT means “Tax Administration

Diagnostic Assessment Tool.” It is a tool designed to provide an objective and uniform assessment of the health of key components of a country’s system of tax administration, the extent of reform required to bridge the gap between good practice baseline and actual performance, and the relative priorities for attention.

TADAT provides an independent, standardized, evidence-based, quality-assured, all-round assessment of the performance of a tax administration system.

2.0 Brief Background/ History of TADAT

· Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) methodology has proven successful in assessing public finance management performance.

· The idea to replicate same for tax administration was hatched.

· In 2011, feasibility study was concluded to develop a tool for assessing the relative performance of tax administration and offering insight into performance priorities.

· In 2012, the first initial kind of concept framework for developing a tool, a PEFA- like tool was developed.

· Some donor partners were engaged in the process.

· Performance Outcome Areas (POAs) were developed.

· 2014, TADAT was launched and a Steering Committee comprising of representatives from International Partners was set up to translate the vision into reality.

· TADAT Secretariat was set up in Washington.

· TADAT was released for global use on November 18, 2015.

3.0 Who developed TADAT?TADAT was developed by

International Development Partners, (Germany, International Monetary Fund,


Technical Advisory GroupThe TAG comprises the Secretariat,

regional tax administration organizations, and representatives of the TADAT Partners with technical expertise relevant to the design and implementation of the tool. The membership of the TAG comprises: (i) the head of the TADAT Secretariat (Chair); (ii) technical representatives of the TADAT Partners: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); the Norwegian Tax Administration (NTA); the European

Commission Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) (future: Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs); the Swiss Federal Tax Adm in i s t ra t i on ( FTA) ; Deu t s che Ge s e l l s c h a f t f ü r I n t e r n a t i o na l e Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); South African Revenue Service (SARS); Germany; the Netherlands; designated IMF and World Bank staff; and (iii) representatives of the African Tax Administrators Forum (ATAF),

the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT), and the Intra-E u r o p e a n O r g a n i z a t i o n o f Ta x Administrations (IOTA).

The purpose of the (Technical Advisory Group) TAG is to advise the Secretariat on technical aspects of the design and implementation of the diagnostic tool, thereby supporting the technical development and maintenance of the diagnostic tool.



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development partners and institutions. They include the European Commission, Germany, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the World Bank.

Steering CommitteeThe Steer ing Committee (SC)

comprises representat ives of the Contributors to the TADAT sub-account, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank (the TADAT Partners). The SC members e lec t a cha i r amongst

themselves by consensus. The term of the chair is one year. The chair determines the agenda for SC meetings, with advice from the Secretariat.

The responsibilities of the SC are to:· Provide strategic guidance and

oversight of the ongoing development of the TADAT program;

· Set the objectives, targets, and scope of activities of the TADAT program;

· Mobilize the resources needed to implement the TADAT

program;· Determine the operational

strategies and procedures for the program activities;

· Dec ide the annua l work program and budgets of the TADAT Secretariat;

· D e t e r m i n e a p p r o p r i a t e commun i ca t i on /ou t reach s t ra teg ies w i th ex te rna l stakeholders; and

· Set terms of reference for the SC and the Technical Advisory Group.

SecretariatThe TADAT Secretariat comprises a

Head, three technical experts, a projects assistant, and an employee providing administrative support. Under the guidance of the Steering Committee, and in line with the Program Document, the TADAT Secretariat plans, implements, and monitors the TADAT program. More specifically, the Secretariat’s main responsibilities are to:

· provide secretariat support to the TADAT SC;

· propose operational strategies and procedures for SC consideration and endorsement;

· propose the annual TADAT work plan and budget for consideration and final decision by the SC; undertake the custodial role of the TADAT brand, including the management of the website dedicated to the TADAT tool;

· provide services and set up processes and procedures that promote and monitor the delivery of high quality assessments, including, for example, through implementing an assessor accreditation process and establishing ex-post quality controls;

· consult and coordinate with the TADAT partners and other stakeholders as needed;

· provide (directly or through trusted partners) services related to TADAT activities, such as assessor training; report to the SC, through periodic monitoring reports and special studies, on progress in implementing the annual work plans and budgets, as well as on progress against operational targets; and

· represent the TADAT externally, in consultation with the SC Chair, as needed.

Justin ZakeUnit ChiefMr. Justin Zake, a Ugandan

national, is the Chief of Unit, TADAT Secretariat a position he has held since mid-September, 2014. He is responsible for supervision of the TADAT Secretariat’s work including strategy and work plan development. Among the positions he has held before include Commissioner VAT - Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Deputy Commissioner General – URA, Resident Revenue

Administration Advisor, IMF East AFRITAC and Senior Economist, Fiscal Affairs Department in Revenue Administration Division 1. He has participated in and led missions in Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and Europe. He has over 24 years experience in tax administration.

Munawer Khwaja Technical Assistance Advisor

Munawer Khwaja, a Canadian and US national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. Prior to joining the IMF, he worked in the World Bank since 2006 as Lead Tax Policy and Administration Specialist. Prior to the Bank, he worked on tax reform issues in a variety of settings: as Senior Manager in KPMG Consulting (BearingPoint Inc.), as Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Institute for International Development, as Director Central Fiscal Authority in the UN Mission in Kosovo, as Director Tax Policy in the Ministry of Finance of India and as Deputy Commissioner in the Indian Revenue Service. He has a DESS from the Universite de Paris-Dauphine, an MPA from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Law from Delhi University.

Monica Calijuri Technical Assistance Advisor

Monica Calijuri , a Brazilian national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. She joined to IMF in 2014. She worked at CAPTAC-DR, providing technical assistance to Tax Administrations in Central America countries, Panama and Dominican Republic, before joining to TADAT Secretariat. Prior to that, she worked for Brazilian Federal Tax Revenue Administration as head of Large Taxpayer Office, head of International Tax Affairs Office, Counselor at Tax Administrative Court and others. She was also a professor of tax accounting, international taxation and controllership. She has an accounting PHD degree from Sao Paulo University, and a Bachelor’s degree in economics.

Maimbo Nyanga Technical Assistance Advisor

Maimbo Nyanga, a Zambian national, is a Technical Assistance Advisor in the TADAT Secretariat. Prior to joining the Fund, he worked for Zambia Revenue Authority for over 14 years. He was Director for the Research and Planning. Before that he was Executive Assistant to the Commissioner General. He participated in a number of tax policy review processes and preparation of the national budget over years. Earlier on he worked in Budget Office on tax and

expenditure policies and later in the Directorate of Macroeconomic Policy Analysis in the Ministry of Finance. He has a Master’s Degree in international and development economics from the University of Namur in Belgium and a Bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Zambia.

TADAT FAQs1.0 What is TADAT?TADAT means “Tax Administration

Diagnostic Assessment Tool.” It is a tool designed to provide an objective and uniform assessment of the health of key components of a country’s system of tax administration, the extent of reform required to bridge the gap between good practice baseline and actual performance, and the relative priorities for attention.

TADAT provides an independent, standardized, evidence-based, quality-assured, all-round assessment of the performance of a tax administration system.

2.0 Brief Background/ History of TADAT

· Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) methodology has proven successful in assessing public finance management performance.

· The idea to replicate same for tax administration was hatched.

· In 2011, feasibility study was concluded to develop a tool for assessing the relative performance of tax administration and offering insight into performance priorities.

· In 2012, the first initial kind of concept framework for developing a tool, a PEFA- like tool was developed.

· Some donor partners were engaged in the process.

· Performance Outcome Areas (POAs) were developed.

· 2014, TADAT was launched and a Steering Committee comprising of representatives from International Partners was set up to translate the vision into reality.

· TADAT Secretariat was set up in Washington.

· TADAT was released for global use on November 18, 2015.

3.0 Who developed TADAT?TADAT was developed by

International Development Partners, (Germany, International Monetary Fund,


Technical Advisory GroupThe TAG comprises the Secretariat,

regional tax administration organizations, and representatives of the TADAT Partners with technical expertise relevant to the design and implementation of the tool. The membership of the TAG comprises: (i) the head of the TADAT Secretariat (Chair); (ii) technical representatives of the TADAT Partners: Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC); the Norwegian Tax Administration (NTA); the European

Commission Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) (future: Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs); the Swiss Federal Tax Adm in i s t ra t i on ( FTA) ; Deu t s che Ge s e l l s c h a f t f ü r I n t e r n a t i o na l e Zusammenarbeit (GIZ); South African Revenue Service (SARS); Germany; the Netherlands; designated IMF and World Bank staff; and (iii) representatives of the African Tax Administrators Forum (ATAF),

the Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations (CIAT), and the Intra-E u r o p e a n O r g a n i z a t i o n o f Ta x Administrations (IOTA).

The purpose of the (Technical Advisory Group) TAG is to advise the Secretariat on technical aspects of the design and implementation of the diagnostic tool, thereby supporting the technical development and maintenance of the diagnostic tool.


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Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the World Bank) with technical input from a wide range of experts, to help make tax administrations around the world more efficient and fair.

4.0 Why TADAT?· To develop a standardize

assessment tool to provide objective view of a tax administration system’s health and areas that need reform or strengthening.

· Identify challenges in tax administration system.

· Help tax administration address compliance risk.

· Help tax administration to identify areas of strength and weaknesses.

· Help tax administration to identify areas of reform.

· Help tax administration to conform to international good practices.

5.0 The TADAT Framework The TADAT framework revolves

around Nine (9) Performance Outcome Areas (POAs) and 28 high level indicators critical to the performance of a tax administration. The 28 indicators are further broken down into Forty Seven (47) measurement dimensions which are used to score each of the indicators. A four-point ‘ABCD’ scale is used to score each dimension and indicator.

In summary, the TADAT assessment is:

Ø A self-guided assessment tool which gives self-scrutiny, self-rating and proffers ways for improvement.

Ø An evidence-based assessment that measures the performance outcomes in respect of core taxes.

Ø Critically looks at a country’s system of tax administration.

Ø Enables the proactive design of reform initiatives.

Ø Helps a country to undertake an effective SWOT analysis of its tax administration system.

Ø Facilitates a shared view among all stakeholders (country authorities, international organisations, development partners, and technical assistance providers).

Ø Undertaken by the TADAT

Secretariat (using trained TADAT Assessors) on the tax administration system of a country on request.

6.0 How Does TADAT Score A Tax Administration?

TADAT evaluates a tax administration in each of the nine POAs.

· POA 1: Integrity of the Registered Taxpayer Base

· POA 2: Effective Risk Management

· POA 3: Supporting Voluntary Compliance

· POA 4: Timely Filing of Tax Declarations

· POA 5: Timely Payment of Taxes

· POA 6: Accurate Reporting in Declarations

· POA 7: Tax Dispute Resolution· POA 8: Efficient Revenue

Management· POA 9: Accountability and

Transparency

7.0 Key Features of TADAT· Standardized assessment· Evidence-based and verifiable

information· Quantitative rather than

qualitative measurement to allow for comparison over time

· Independent · Focus on outcome

8.0 How TADAT worksa. TADAT framework revolves

around nine Performance Outcome Areas (POAs also known as TADAT WHEEL) and 28 high level indicators critical to tax administration performance. The 28 indicators are disaggregated further into 47 measurement dimensions which are used to arrive at each indicator score. A four-point ‘ABCD’ scale is used to score each dimension and indicator

b. All indicators have between 1 to 4 dimensions

c. Each dimension is separately assessed

d. Overall score for an indicator is based on the assessment of the dimensions related to that indicator

e. Scores ABCD· ‘A’ is set as “internationally

accepted good practice”

· ‘B’ is Good performance slightly below internationally accepted good practice.

· ‘C’ is minimum accepted standards.

· ‘D’ score denotes that the minimum standards set under ‘C’ have not been met or where there is insufficient information available to determine a score.

9.0 FIRS and TADATa. FIRS Management has keyed

into using TADAT to assess the Service.

b. Management expects that staff will support this.

c. Staff are required to acquaint themselves with all the policies and processes of the Service (information can be found on the intranet…..).

d. Staff are to be ready to provide timely and accurate information to the TADAT Steering Committee of the FIRS, Management and the TADAT team at ALL times.

e. Staff are required to exhibit honesty and professionalism in the disclosure of information.

f. Staff can be called upon at ANY TIME by Management to answer questions on TADAT and the policies and processes of the Service.

10.0 What does TADAT mean for Nigeria?

TADAT matters to us because understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our Tax Administration is critical to grasp what could be improved and what is working well. This can help Nigeria focus on improving performance in areas that are weak. It matters to us all because the Tax Administration is a major interface between the State and its citizens. A fair and professional Tax Administration is an important attribute of a good government. A weak Tax Administration undermines the basic trust in government. It also matters to us because tax collection is a defining function of government. Taxes channel money for the development and socioeconomic needs of a country, help improve its healthcare and educational systems, and build infrastructure. A weak tax collection system will hamper development and in many cases, the efforts of governments to end poverty.


fter the successful launch of the

AWest African Tax Administrations Forum (WATAF) as a fully-fledged

internationally recognised organisation, participants were treated to a dinner in their honour at the Blu Cabana restaurant in Mabushi, Abuja.

Not only was the dinner a gesture to welcome participants but it was also a forum to celebrate the outgoing Chairman of WATAF, Mrs Elfreida Stewart Tamba and the incoming Chairman, Mr Kodjo Adedze represented by Ahmed Essu-Wavana. On hand to entertain the guests were comedians Chuks D General and Seyi Law whose rib-cracking jokes elicited uproarious laughter from the amused audience.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler apologised to the guests for leaving the

conference earlier in the day because he had to attend a meeting of the Federal Executive Council where issues on the nation's finances were discussed. He also stated his belief that WATAF will continue to provide a platform for tax administrations in the sub-region where they can exchange ideas and learn from one another in order to enhance taxation in all member countries.

The new Chairman of WATAF appreciated the FIRS for the warm reception delegates received in Abuja. Essu-Wavana went on to say, “It is because of the contributions of Nigeria that the meeting took place at all. The participants and panellists were up to the task. It is known that the hospitality of Nigeria is legendary and we highly appreciate FIRS for organising this dinner and for everything they have done to make us feel at home.

“It is not the first time that WATAF is coming to Nigeria and every time we

come we are made to feel welcome and at ease. I advise everyone to pay more attention in the remaining days of the conference in order to come up with meaningful reports that we will take back to our leaders.”

To further buttress the appreciation of WATAF member countries a commemorative plaque was presented to the Executive Chairman, FIRS. The Chairman of WATAF said the token was given to Fowler as a sign of the appreciation for Fowler's immense contribution to taxation in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina thanked the former Chairman of WATAF for her contributions to the development of WATAF and thanked all the development partners for their support of WATAF through the years.

Dinner in honour of WATAF delegates

By Umar Yusuf Usman

he Executive Chairman, Elfrieda Stewart Tamba and Ahmed Essu-Wavana

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Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the World Bank) with technical input from a wide range of experts, to help make tax administrations around the world more efficient and fair.

4.0 Why TADAT?· To develop a standardize

assessment tool to provide objective view of a tax administration system’s health and areas that need reform or strengthening.

· Identify challenges in tax administration system.

· Help tax administration address compliance risk.

· Help tax administration to identify areas of strength and weaknesses.

· Help tax administration to identify areas of reform.

· Help tax administration to conform to international good practices.

5.0 The TADAT Framework The TADAT framework revolves

around Nine (9) Performance Outcome Areas (POAs) and 28 high level indicators critical to the performance of a tax administration. The 28 indicators are further broken down into Forty Seven (47) measurement dimensions which are used to score each of the indicators. A four-point ‘ABCD’ scale is used to score each dimension and indicator.

In summary, the TADAT assessment is:

Ø A self-guided assessment tool which gives self-scrutiny, self-rating and proffers ways for improvement.

Ø An evidence-based assessment that measures the performance outcomes in respect of core taxes.

Ø Critically looks at a country’s system of tax administration.

Ø Enables the proactive design of reform initiatives.

Ø Helps a country to undertake an effective SWOT analysis of its tax administration system.

Ø Facilitates a shared view among all stakeholders (country authorities, international organisations, development partners, and technical assistance providers).

Ø Undertaken by the TADAT

Secretariat (using trained TADAT Assessors) on the tax administration system of a country on request.

6.0 How Does TADAT Score A Tax Administration?

TADAT evaluates a tax administration in each of the nine POAs.

· POA 1: Integrity of the Registered Taxpayer Base

· POA 2: Effective Risk Management

· POA 3: Supporting Voluntary Compliance

· POA 4: Timely Filing of Tax Declarations

· POA 5: Timely Payment of Taxes

· POA 6: Accurate Reporting in Declarations

· POA 7: Tax Dispute Resolution· POA 8: Efficient Revenue

Management· POA 9: Accountability and

Transparency

7.0 Key Features of TADAT· Standardized assessment· Evidence-based and verifiable

information· Quantitative rather than

qualitative measurement to allow for comparison over time

· Independent · Focus on outcome

8.0 How TADAT worksa. TADAT framework revolves

around nine Performance Outcome Areas (POAs also known as TADAT WHEEL) and 28 high level indicators critical to tax administration performance. The 28 indicators are disaggregated further into 47 measurement dimensions which are used to arrive at each indicator score. A four-point ‘ABCD’ scale is used to score each dimension and indicator

b. All indicators have between 1 to 4 dimensions

c. Each dimension is separately assessed

d. Overall score for an indicator is based on the assessment of the dimensions related to that indicator

e. Scores ABCD· ‘A’ is set as “internationally

accepted good practice”

· ‘B’ is Good performance slightly below internationally accepted good practice.

· ‘C’ is minimum accepted standards.

· ‘D’ score denotes that the minimum standards set under ‘C’ have not been met or where there is insufficient information available to determine a score.

9.0 FIRS and TADATa. FIRS Management has keyed

into using TADAT to assess the Service.

b. Management expects that staff will support this.

c. Staff are required to acquaint themselves with all the policies and processes of the Service (information can be found on the intranet…..).

d. Staff are to be ready to provide timely and accurate information to the TADAT Steering Committee of the FIRS, Management and the TADAT team at ALL times.

e. Staff are required to exhibit honesty and professionalism in the disclosure of information.

f. Staff can be called upon at ANY TIME by Management to answer questions on TADAT and the policies and processes of the Service.

10.0 What does TADAT mean for Nigeria?

TADAT matters to us because understanding the strengths and weaknesses of our Tax Administration is critical to grasp what could be improved and what is working well. This can help Nigeria focus on improving performance in areas that are weak. It matters to us all because the Tax Administration is a major interface between the State and its citizens. A fair and professional Tax Administration is an important attribute of a good government. A weak Tax Administration undermines the basic trust in government. It also matters to us because tax collection is a defining function of government. Taxes channel money for the development and socioeconomic needs of a country, help improve its healthcare and educational systems, and build infrastructure. A weak tax collection system will hamper development and in many cases, the efforts of governments to end poverty.


fter the successful launch of the

AWest African Tax Administrations Forum (WATAF) as a fully-fledged

internationally recognised organisation, participants were treated to a dinner in their honour at the Blu Cabana restaurant in Mabushi, Abuja.

Not only was the dinner a gesture to welcome participants but it was also a forum to celebrate the outgoing Chairman of WATAF, Mrs Elfreida Stewart Tamba and the incoming Chairman, Mr Kodjo Adedze represented by Ahmed Essu-Wavana. On hand to entertain the guests were comedians Chuks D General and Seyi Law whose rib-cracking jokes elicited uproarious laughter from the amused audience.

In his welcome address, the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler apologised to the guests for leaving the

conference earlier in the day because he had to attend a meeting of the Federal Executive Council where issues on the nation's finances were discussed. He also stated his belief that WATAF will continue to provide a platform for tax administrations in the sub-region where they can exchange ideas and learn from one another in order to enhance taxation in all member countries.

The new Chairman of WATAF appreciated the FIRS for the warm reception delegates received in Abuja. Essu-Wavana went on to say, “It is because of the contributions of Nigeria that the meeting took place at all. The participants and panellists were up to the task. It is known that the hospitality of Nigeria is legendary and we highly appreciate FIRS for organising this dinner and for everything they have done to make us feel at home.

“It is not the first time that WATAF is coming to Nigeria and every time we

come we are made to feel welcome and at ease. I advise everyone to pay more attention in the remaining days of the conference in order to come up with meaningful reports that we will take back to our leaders.”

To further buttress the appreciation of WATAF member countries a commemorative plaque was presented to the Executive Chairman, FIRS. The Chairman of WATAF said the token was given to Fowler as a sign of the appreciation for Fowler's immense contribution to taxation in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

Delivering the vote of thanks, the Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina thanked the former Chairman of WATAF for her contributions to the development of WATAF and thanked all the development partners for their support of WATAF through the years.

Dinner in honour of WATAF delegates

By Umar Yusuf Usman

he Executive Chairman, Elfrieda Stewart Tamba and Ahmed Essu-Wavana

NEWS


NEWS


t is indeed the culmination of a journey

Ithat started on September 12, 2011 when the West African Tax

Administration Forum (WATAF) held its inaugural meeting in Abuja – although, one can say that it is actually the commencement of a more profound journey – as 12 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their partner organisations gathered in Abuja once again.

thThis time it was to hold the 13 General Assembly meeting and to officially launch WATAF as a fully-fledged

international organisation. The WATAF Agreement had to be ratified by at least five member countries and the instruments of ratification deposited at the Secretariat. This was fulfilled with six countries having ratified the Agreement as at the opening of

ththe 13 General Assembly on March 21, 2018.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler congratulated the Executive Secretary of WATAF and his team for their tireless efforts in making the event a reality.

He described the step as a new dawn in the sub-region which was aimed at improving the living standards of the

citizens of the various countries therein by effective mobilisation of resources through taxation via the implementation of the vision of the organisation which promotes collaboration and sharing of best practices among tax administrations.

Fowler emphasised on the need for tax administrations in West Africa to re-strategise on how to deal with some of the challenges peculiar to the region. He also pointed out “that nowadays, trade and commerce have become borderless, especially with the advent of e-commerce, hybrid financial instruments, coupled with the increased sophistication and ingenuity of the army of tax advisors.”

Those who suffered from the activities

of these aggressive tax planners and tax evaders are the governments and citizens of the host countries who lose revenue that should have been used for development.

Fowler advised the tax authorities to checkmate these nefarious activities by implementing initiatives that will tackle tax abuses. While the processes of tax administration may vary from country to country in West Africa, he noted that the challenges of tax evasion and avoidance schemes are similar. “Collaboration, information and experience sharing among tax administrators across jurisdictions is valuable in addressing the high rate of abusive tax practices among our taxpayers,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS highlighted some of the efforts being made by FIRS for

improved tax administration such as the deployment of information and communications technology to enhance efficiency and provide an easier way for taxpayers to conduct their tax affairs and strengthening inter-government relations which has contributed to an increase in the number of registered taxpayers and increased revenue.

The Executive Secretary of WATAF, Babatunde Oladapo expressed his appreciation to all that had been supportive of WATAF in achieving its goals such as the ECOWAS Commission, the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) among many others.

Oladapo described the event as an historic one in the long walk of WATAF towards being recognised as an international organisation. He said the body will be widening its laws for peer learning with the aim of going into research based tax administration.

The outgoing Chairman of WATAF, Elfrieda Stewart Tamba welcomed all

thcountries to the 13 General Assembly and expressed regrets for the delay in the council meeting which was to hold in October 2017 but was postponed due to the withdrawal of sponsorship by GIZ. She thanked Nigeria for stepping up in its role as a big brother in the region and for hosting the General Assembly meeting.

Tamba said, “WATAF so far has consolidated its legal status. Today we are celebrating the official launching of WATAF as a solid legal entity, fully empowered to engage in negotiations, to enter into contracts, to sue and be sued. Today, WATAF has concluded all

the necessary requirements to honour its foundation agreement to be an international organisation.”

Goodwill messages were presented by the various development partners and participating organisations such as ATAF, ECOWAS, WAUTI, OECD and others. They all expressed their pleasure with the launch of WATAF and committed themselves to supporting the organisation in the future.

After the goodwill messages WATAF was launched officially by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Jean Claude Brou who was represented by the ECOWAS Director of Customs, Salifou Tiemtore.

The handover of the Chairmanship of WATAF from the Liberia Revenue Authority to the Togolese Revenue Authority (OTR) was also executed as Elfrieda Stewart Tamba handed the instruments of the Chairman to Ahmed Essu-Wavana, who represented the Commissioner-General of the OTR.

Tamba thanked the General Assembly for the opportunity given to her to serve and expressed her pride in enhancing the footprint of WATAF in international tax administration. She thanked the Secretariat for its hard work in achieving WATAF's goals and Tunde Fowler for his support of the body.

She assured the incoming Chairman of her steadfast support towards working to improve the lot of the continent and improve the living conditions which the people yearn for.

In his acceptance speech Essu-Wavana appreciated the opportunity to serve and commended the outgoing Chairman for a job well done. He promised to work hard towards achieving the mission and vision of WATAF.

WATAF assumes its rightful place among comity of international organisations

By Umar Yusuf Usman and Maureen Ugwa

,,Fowler advised the tax authorities to checkmate these nefarious activities by implementing initiatives that will tackle tax abuses. While the processes of tax administration may vary from country to country in West Africa, he noted that the challenges of tax evasion and avoidance schemes are similar. “Collaboration, information and experience sharing among tax administrators across jurisdictions is valuable in addressing the high rate of abusive tax practices among our taxpayers,” he said.

Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, the out-going Chairman of WATAF; ECOWAS Director of Customs, Salifou Tiemtore; Ahmed Essu-Wavana, representative of thein-coming Chairman of WATAF; Babatunde Oladapo, Executive Secretary of WATAF and Tunde Fowler, Executiv Chairman, FIRS after launching the WATAF logo

NEWS


NEWS


t is indeed the culmination of a journey

Ithat started on September 12, 2011 when the West African Tax

Administration Forum (WATAF) held its inaugural meeting in Abuja – although, one can say that it is actually the commencement of a more profound journey – as 12 countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and their partner organisations gathered in Abuja once again.

thThis time it was to hold the 13 General Assembly meeting and to officially launch WATAF as a fully-fledged

international organisation. The WATAF Agreement had to be ratified by at least five member countries and the instruments of ratification deposited at the Secretariat. This was fulfilled with six countries having ratified the Agreement as at the opening of

ththe 13 General Assembly on March 21, 2018.

In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler congratulated the Executive Secretary of WATAF and his team for their tireless efforts in making the event a reality.

He described the step as a new dawn in the sub-region which was aimed at improving the living standards of the

citizens of the various countries therein by effective mobilisation of resources through taxation via the implementation of the vision of the organisation which promotes collaboration and sharing of best practices among tax administrations.

Fowler emphasised on the need for tax administrations in West Africa to re-strategise on how to deal with some of the challenges peculiar to the region. He also pointed out “that nowadays, trade and commerce have become borderless, especially with the advent of e-commerce, hybrid financial instruments, coupled with the increased sophistication and ingenuity of the army of tax advisors.”

Those who suffered from the activities

of these aggressive tax planners and tax evaders are the governments and citizens of the host countries who lose revenue that should have been used for development.

Fowler advised the tax authorities to checkmate these nefarious activities by implementing initiatives that will tackle tax abuses. While the processes of tax administration may vary from country to country in West Africa, he noted that the challenges of tax evasion and avoidance schemes are similar. “Collaboration, information and experience sharing among tax administrators across jurisdictions is valuable in addressing the high rate of abusive tax practices among our taxpayers,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS highlighted some of the efforts being made by FIRS for

improved tax administration such as the deployment of information and communications technology to enhance efficiency and provide an easier way for taxpayers to conduct their tax affairs and strengthening inter-government relations which has contributed to an increase in the number of registered taxpayers and increased revenue.

The Executive Secretary of WATAF, Babatunde Oladapo expressed his appreciation to all that had been supportive of WATAF in achieving its goals such as the ECOWAS Commission, the African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, the West African Union of Tax Institutes (WAUTI) among many others.

Oladapo described the event as an historic one in the long walk of WATAF towards being recognised as an international organisation. He said the body will be widening its laws for peer learning with the aim of going into research based tax administration.

The outgoing Chairman of WATAF, Elfrieda Stewart Tamba welcomed all

thcountries to the 13 General Assembly and expressed regrets for the delay in the council meeting which was to hold in October 2017 but was postponed due to the withdrawal of sponsorship by GIZ. She thanked Nigeria for stepping up in its role as a big brother in the region and for hosting the General Assembly meeting.

Tamba said, “WATAF so far has consolidated its legal status. Today we are celebrating the official launching of WATAF as a solid legal entity, fully empowered to engage in negotiations, to enter into contracts, to sue and be sued. Today, WATAF has concluded all

the necessary requirements to honour its foundation agreement to be an international organisation.”

Goodwill messages were presented by the various development partners and participating organisations such as ATAF, ECOWAS, WAUTI, OECD and others. They all expressed their pleasure with the launch of WATAF and committed themselves to supporting the organisation in the future.

After the goodwill messages WATAF was launched officially by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency, Jean Claude Brou who was represented by the ECOWAS Director of Customs, Salifou Tiemtore.

The handover of the Chairmanship of WATAF from the Liberia Revenue Authority to the Togolese Revenue Authority (OTR) was also executed as Elfrieda Stewart Tamba handed the instruments of the Chairman to Ahmed Essu-Wavana, who represented the Commissioner-General of the OTR.

Tamba thanked the General Assembly for the opportunity given to her to serve and expressed her pride in enhancing the footprint of WATAF in international tax administration. She thanked the Secretariat for its hard work in achieving WATAF's goals and Tunde Fowler for his support of the body.

She assured the incoming Chairman of her steadfast support towards working to improve the lot of the continent and improve the living conditions which the people yearn for.

In his acceptance speech Essu-Wavana appreciated the opportunity to serve and commended the outgoing Chairman for a job well done. He promised to work hard towards achieving the mission and vision of WATAF.

WATAF assumes its rightful place among comity of international organisations

By Umar Yusuf Usman and Maureen Ugwa

,,Fowler advised the tax authorities to checkmate these nefarious activities by implementing initiatives that will tackle tax abuses. While the processes of tax administration may vary from country to country in West Africa, he noted that the challenges of tax evasion and avoidance schemes are similar. “Collaboration, information and experience sharing among tax administrators across jurisdictions is valuable in addressing the high rate of abusive tax practices among our taxpayers,” he said.

Elfrieda Stewart Tamba, the out-going Chairman of WATAF; ECOWAS Director of Customs, Salifou Tiemtore; Ahmed Essu-Wavana, representative of thein-coming Chairman of WATAF; Babatunde Oladapo, Executive Secretary of WATAF and Tunde Fowler, Executiv Chairman, FIRS after launching the WATAF logo

NEWS


NEWS


TInland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler has reconsidered the

waiver of Value Added Tax (VAT) charges over the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

Fowler made the disclosure during a meeting with the Managing Director, NLNG, Tony Attah team at Revenue House, Abuja, to discuss issues bordering on the operations of the two institutions.

According to Fowler, the VAT relief is in the spirit of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), an amnesty window to reduce tax liabilities

which ended in June, 2018.The initiative driven under FIRS

collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and State Bonds of Internal Revenue, shielded taxpayers from the burden of carrying forward old tax liabilities arising from penalty and interest on all taxes payable to FIRS.

While thanking the NLNG team for their sense of commitment to prompt payment of taxes, the Executive Chairman mentioned that FIRS is devoted to building a mutually beneficial relationship with taxpayers in a manner that will promote the desired revenue track recorded by the Service.

In his response, Attah said that the position NLNG occupied is genuinely

recognized following its consistent payment of taxes and cannot be taken for granted.

“The existing relationship between FIRS and NLNG has been very progressive. We are aware of the importance of paying tax and also know how to man that role effectively. Nevertheless, we commend the positive contributions of FIRS towards attaining the expected revenue target for our dear country and believe that together we can achieve it.”

He extolled the Executive Chairman and his team for the major successes realized during the past year especially on the just concluded VAIDS programme which he said was impeccable.

FIRS hosts NLNGBy Ayorinde Aghede

he management of Jaiz Bank Plc.

Tis seeking the Federal Inland Revenue Service's (FIRS) support

to shore up its revenue base which it said required a collective effort.

Hassan Usman, the Managing Director of the bank, while visiting the Executive Chairman and Management team of FIRS said that the visit was to extend goodwill to the Service towards delivering the desired revenue results as well as to build increased compliance levels amongst taxpayers.

While commending the FIRS, Usman mentioned that the bank is committed to providing an effective participation in revenue generation in line with the provision of the FIRS operational framework delivery, to improve the existing synergy between the bank, policy makers and taxpayers.

“As a non-interest bank, we pledge to be as tax compliant as possible with regular and timely delivery of taxes due and assure FIRS to become one of its major revenue contributors.”

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler reassured the management of the bank its readiness for partnership.

He however urged the Managing Director to develop the bank's brand in a manner that will capture an increased number of required taxpayers.

“We now contribute more through taxation because we cannot rely anymore on oil revenue. Therefore, to fulfil our revenue mandate, we must seek strategies by which we can fund revenue internally to ensure proper funding of both the current and subsequent budgets,” he said

Fowler added that the Service adopted several measures to improve

taxpayers' service, one of which is the 6 ICT e-Solutions designed to engender a positive compliance culture and make tax transactions easy and convenient.

Fowler said, “We on our own side have tried to improve better service through our e-tax platform to execute effective payment of taxes in the easiest way possible which has helped to bring taxation to your doorsteps. We have also built a robust relationship with the various State Boards of Internal Revenue for easy monitoring and collaboration with taxpayers, as we believe it will yield the maximum revenue collection results we desire.”

He said the banking sector is recognized as one of FIRS' major revenue sources; as such, it must promote tax compliance standards amongst its clients in order to generate the required revenue for the nation.

By Ayorinde Aghede

JAIZ Bank woos FIRSto widen revenue base

The Executive Chairman, FIRS and the MD, NLNG, Tony Attah

The Executive Chairman, FIRS presenting the book 'Buhari A New Beginning' to the MD, JAIZ Bank, Hassan Usman

NEWS


NEWS


TInland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler has reconsidered the

waiver of Value Added Tax (VAT) charges over the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG).

Fowler made the disclosure during a meeting with the Managing Director, NLNG, Tony Attah team at Revenue House, Abuja, to discuss issues bordering on the operations of the two institutions.

According to Fowler, the VAT relief is in the spirit of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), an amnesty window to reduce tax liabilities

which ended in June, 2018.The initiative driven under FIRS

collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and State Bonds of Internal Revenue, shielded taxpayers from the burden of carrying forward old tax liabilities arising from penalty and interest on all taxes payable to FIRS.

While thanking the NLNG team for their sense of commitment to prompt payment of taxes, the Executive Chairman mentioned that FIRS is devoted to building a mutually beneficial relationship with taxpayers in a manner that will promote the desired revenue track recorded by the Service.

In his response, Attah said that the position NLNG occupied is genuinely

recognized following its consistent payment of taxes and cannot be taken for granted.

“The existing relationship between FIRS and NLNG has been very progressive. We are aware of the importance of paying tax and also know how to man that role effectively. Nevertheless, we commend the positive contributions of FIRS towards attaining the expected revenue target for our dear country and believe that together we can achieve it.”

He extolled the Executive Chairman and his team for the major successes realized during the past year especially on the just concluded VAIDS programme which he said was impeccable.

FIRS hosts NLNGBy Ayorinde Aghede

he management of Jaiz Bank Plc.

Tis seeking the Federal Inland Revenue Service's (FIRS) support

to shore up its revenue base which it said required a collective effort.

Hassan Usman, the Managing Director of the bank, while visiting the Executive Chairman and Management team of FIRS said that the visit was to extend goodwill to the Service towards delivering the desired revenue results as well as to build increased compliance levels amongst taxpayers.

While commending the FIRS, Usman mentioned that the bank is committed to providing an effective participation in revenue generation in line with the provision of the FIRS operational framework delivery, to improve the existing synergy between the bank, policy makers and taxpayers.

“As a non-interest bank, we pledge to be as tax compliant as possible with regular and timely delivery of taxes due and assure FIRS to become one of its major revenue contributors.”

In his remarks, the Executive Chairman, Tunde Fowler reassured the management of the bank its readiness for partnership.

He however urged the Managing Director to develop the bank's brand in a manner that will capture an increased number of required taxpayers.

“We now contribute more through taxation because we cannot rely anymore on oil revenue. Therefore, to fulfil our revenue mandate, we must seek strategies by which we can fund revenue internally to ensure proper funding of both the current and subsequent budgets,” he said

Fowler added that the Service adopted several measures to improve

taxpayers' service, one of which is the 6 ICT e-Solutions designed to engender a positive compliance culture and make tax transactions easy and convenient.

Fowler said, “We on our own side have tried to improve better service through our e-tax platform to execute effective payment of taxes in the easiest way possible which has helped to bring taxation to your doorsteps. We have also built a robust relationship with the various State Boards of Internal Revenue for easy monitoring and collaboration with taxpayers, as we believe it will yield the maximum revenue collection results we desire.”

He said the banking sector is recognized as one of FIRS' major revenue sources; as such, it must promote tax compliance standards amongst its clients in order to generate the required revenue for the nation.

By Ayorinde Aghede

JAIZ Bank woos FIRSto widen revenue base

The Executive Chairman, FIRS and the MD, NLNG, Tony Attah

The Executive Chairman, FIRS presenting the book 'Buhari A New Beginning' to the MD, JAIZ Bank, Hassan Usman

TIT-BITS


entral to the Joint Tax Board (JTB)

Ccreed is the commitment to ensure efficient strategic plan delivery,

increased tax-to-GDP ratio, diversified revenue sources and policy initiatives that will enhance all its operational processes.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman JTB, Tunde Fowler, during an address to directors of legal departments of State Boards of Internal Revenue (SBIR) at the Grand Pela Hotel in Abuja, said that in view of the current economic realities relating to the National Tax Policy, it was judicious to seek a rapid revision of an establishment act for the effective operations of the JTB.

According to the Executive Chairman, the roles played by the legal departments is critical to areas of the tax law and practice that require reform.

Fowler disclosed that one of the key recommendations of the National Tax Policy is the need to enact an establishment act for the JTB which will transform the Nigerian tax system positively as the implementation of the policy was long overdue.

He stressed that without an establishment act, providing for sustainable revenue and functional organisational structure to achieve the system's objectives will be more challenging.

“We are all aware that law is central to taxation. Thus, directors of legal departments whose office straddles membership of the board and management, play key roles in ensuring that SBIRs operate within the law in their everyday functioning,” he remarked.

Speaking on the theme of the meeting “Enduring Efficient Tax Administration System in Nigeria”, the Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah urged

that the correct governance structure be put in place and enabling laws passed that will help establish a friendly tax environment as well as provide an increased revenue base for the country.

Elamah explained that the engagement was organised to illuminate areas in tax law and practice that seemed unclear. The meeting also provided a forum for participants to articulate strategic recommendations that will yield uniformity in the tax laws across the country.

He also said that beyond the advisory role on policy formulation played by JTB to government, there was a need to encourage minimal double taxation treaties among states.

“If the tax law is static, the structure will display ambiguity. The hallmark of an efficient tax system lies in its ability to pre-empt and anticipate societal changes within the landscape and adapt seamlessly without compromising the set standards.”

By Ayorinde Aghede


JTB canvasses for enactment of an operational act

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah and the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler

NEWS

TIT-BITS


entral to the Joint Tax Board (JTB)

Ccreed is the commitment to ensure efficient strategic plan delivery,

increased tax-to-GDP ratio, diversified revenue sources and policy initiatives that will enhance all its operational processes.

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman JTB, Tunde Fowler, during an address to directors of legal departments of State Boards of Internal Revenue (SBIR) at the Grand Pela Hotel in Abuja, said that in view of the current economic realities relating to the National Tax Policy, it was judicious to seek a rapid revision of an establishment act for the effective operations of the JTB.

According to the Executive Chairman, the roles played by the legal departments is critical to areas of the tax law and practice that require reform.

Fowler disclosed that one of the key recommendations of the National Tax Policy is the need to enact an establishment act for the JTB which will transform the Nigerian tax system positively as the implementation of the policy was long overdue.

He stressed that without an establishment act, providing for sustainable revenue and functional organisational structure to achieve the system's objectives will be more challenging.

“We are all aware that law is central to taxation. Thus, directors of legal departments whose office straddles membership of the board and management, play key roles in ensuring that SBIRs operate within the law in their everyday functioning,” he remarked.

Speaking on the theme of the meeting “Enduring Efficient Tax Administration System in Nigeria”, the Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah urged

that the correct governance structure be put in place and enabling laws passed that will help establish a friendly tax environment as well as provide an increased revenue base for the country.

Elamah explained that the engagement was organised to illuminate areas in tax law and practice that seemed unclear. The meeting also provided a forum for participants to articulate strategic recommendations that will yield uniformity in the tax laws across the country.

He also said that beyond the advisory role on policy formulation played by JTB to government, there was a need to encourage minimal double taxation treaties among states.

“If the tax law is static, the structure will display ambiguity. The hallmark of an efficient tax system lies in its ability to pre-empt and anticipate societal changes within the landscape and adapt seamlessly without compromising the set standards.”

By Ayorinde Aghede


JTB canvasses for enactment of an operational act

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah and the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler

NEWS


NEWS


NEWS

Society of Women in Taxationholds annual seminar

he Society of Women in Taxation

T(SWIT) held the 2018 edition of its annual seminar in Abuja, with the

theme, “Tax Compliance, Entrepreneurship and National Development”.

SWIT is an arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) that seeks to champion the yearnings and aspirations of women and for their recognition as a force to be reckoned with in taxation. It also serves as a forum for the promotion of socio-economic development of women.

The vice president, CITN and Chairperson of the occasion, Ms Gladys O. Simplice, said that the society was focusing on three areas in this year's event - tax compliance, entrepreneurship and national development. Simplice urged women to be at the forefront to improve tax compliance among the populace.

In her remarks, the Acting Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Lady Azuka Obiageli Azinge, said no nation can survive without meaningful earnings, especially through taxation as it is the backbone of revenue generation.

She urged the government to step up tax compliance by incorporating programmes that will provide special incentives that will enable medium and small scale enterprises to thrive thereby generating more revenue. She also reminded participants that the CAC has been collaborating with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in many ways; one of which was the issuance of Tax Identification Numbers to all newly registered companies.

In his goodwill message, The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, who was represented by Abiodun Aina, Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman recognised the

importance of women in the institute in particular and their important role in society in general.

“Women are highly focused, dedicated and skilled multitaskers which is a great skill I admire. At the induction of CITN not too long ago, women won most of the prizes and I was pushed to ask where the men were,” he said.

The Executive Chairman re-emphasized that taxation is the only sustainable revenue source to rely on. He further urged women to deploy their power and influence to ensure that people pay their taxes.

Three papers were presented at the seminar focusing on “The Role of Critical Stakeholders in Facilitating Tax Compliance” by Mr. Abiodun Aina; “Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Sustainable Growth” by Mary Helen Nnadi and “Multiple Income Streams” by Dr. Amina Salihu whom are all Fellows of the CITN.

By Abdullahi Ahmed

Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina speaking at the annual seminar

he Executive Chairman, FIRS,

TTunde Fowler has called on all staff to discontinue any act liable of

impeding the Service's efforts to achieve its revenue target.

Fowler gave the warning while speaking with the team of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) a t the Revenue House boardroom, on the need to establish a corrupt free system desired by the Service to maintain a positive revenue record.

He said staff must be productive and develop competencies and skills that will further improve their everyday job functions.

According to him, any staff whose performance is not commensurate with salary earned is definitely corrupt and needs a change of attitude.

“We are recognized as the revenue agency of the Federal Government, but in factual terms, we are the revenue agency for the nation, this is because our job is service oriented and requires much dedication as the three tiers of government rely heavily on our collection to function. The onus therefore lies on us to change our or ientat ion in terms of bu i l d ing

competencies that will support our functions and fight against corruption,” he remarked.

While explaining the day-to-day operations of the Service to the PACAC team, the Executive Chairman also ment ioned that the Serv ice had implemented other initiatives such as the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme, and property valuation exercise which has helped to improve performance generally.

Fowler added that, without prejudice to the 6 ICT e-Solutions deployed by FIRS to secure a convenient and easy tax payment process, taxpayers have the choice to either pay their taxes online or manually at the office of their choosing.

In terms of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues, he disclosed that VAT collection as of last year increased to over N800 billion and hoped to generate N900 billion in 2018.

The Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) while thanking the Executive Chairman for an inspiring presentation, said that he and his team were now better informed of FIRS' processes and procedures.

“We are very glad at your inspiring and encouraging performance, we are here to

reassure you of our support in making revenue collection in Nigeria better. However, if there is any area wherein you feel we can assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

He went on to observe that the country's tax net was too narrow, hence the reason for having less taxpayer presence and voluntary compliance. Prof. Sagay however advised FIRS to build up the tax database in a manner that will be more vigorous in terms of identifying tax defaulters.

“We are not surprised about the excellent feat of FIRS in view of the Executive Chairman's past successes as the Chairman, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue. We hope that from this progressive step, people who have not been tax compliant will be levied appropriately. My suggestion to the Service is to collaborate with the Corporate Affairs Commission in order to increase the desired outcome in the level of the integrity of the tax database.

He thanked the Executive Chairman for the high sense of dedication to duty and implored that FIRS ensures continuity in accomplishing sustainable development growth.

Executive Chairman warns staff over corrupt practices

By Ayorinde Aghede

The Executive Chairman presenting a book, the ‘Buhari: A New Beginning’ to the Chairman, PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN


NEWS


NEWS

Society of Women in Taxationholds annual seminar

he Society of Women in Taxation

T(SWIT) held the 2018 edition of its annual seminar in Abuja, with the

theme, “Tax Compliance, Entrepreneurship and National Development”.

SWIT is an arm of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) that seeks to champion the yearnings and aspirations of women and for their recognition as a force to be reckoned with in taxation. It also serves as a forum for the promotion of socio-economic development of women.

The vice president, CITN and Chairperson of the occasion, Ms Gladys O. Simplice, said that the society was focusing on three areas in this year's event - tax compliance, entrepreneurship and national development. Simplice urged women to be at the forefront to improve tax compliance among the populace.

In her remarks, the Acting Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Lady Azuka Obiageli Azinge, said no nation can survive without meaningful earnings, especially through taxation as it is the backbone of revenue generation.

She urged the government to step up tax compliance by incorporating programmes that will provide special incentives that will enable medium and small scale enterprises to thrive thereby generating more revenue. She also reminded participants that the CAC has been collaborating with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in many ways; one of which was the issuance of Tax Identification Numbers to all newly registered companies.

In his goodwill message, The Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler, who was represented by Abiodun Aina, Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman recognised the

importance of women in the institute in particular and their important role in society in general.

“Women are highly focused, dedicated and skilled multitaskers which is a great skill I admire. At the induction of CITN not too long ago, women won most of the prizes and I was pushed to ask where the men were,” he said.

The Executive Chairman re-emphasized that taxation is the only sustainable revenue source to rely on. He further urged women to deploy their power and influence to ensure that people pay their taxes.

Three papers were presented at the seminar focusing on “The Role of Critical Stakeholders in Facilitating Tax Compliance” by Mr. Abiodun Aina; “Entrepreneurship as a Pathway to Sustainable Growth” by Mary Helen Nnadi and “Multiple Income Streams” by Dr. Amina Salihu whom are all Fellows of the CITN.

By Abdullahi Ahmed

Coordinating Director, Domestic Tax Group and Special Advisor to the Executive Chairman, Abiodun Aina speaking at the annual seminar

he Executive Chairman, FIRS,

TTunde Fowler has called on all staff to discontinue any act liable of

impeding the Service's efforts to achieve its revenue target.

Fowler gave the warning while speaking with the team of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) a t the Revenue House boardroom, on the need to establish a corrupt free system desired by the Service to maintain a positive revenue record.

He said staff must be productive and develop competencies and skills that will further improve their everyday job functions.

According to him, any staff whose performance is not commensurate with salary earned is definitely corrupt and needs a change of attitude.

“We are recognized as the revenue agency of the Federal Government, but in factual terms, we are the revenue agency for the nation, this is because our job is service oriented and requires much dedication as the three tiers of government rely heavily on our collection to function. The onus therefore lies on us to change our or ientat ion in terms of bu i l d ing

competencies that will support our functions and fight against corruption,” he remarked.

While explaining the day-to-day operations of the Service to the PACAC team, the Executive Chairman also ment ioned that the Serv ice had implemented other initiatives such as the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme, and property valuation exercise which has helped to improve performance generally.

Fowler added that, without prejudice to the 6 ICT e-Solutions deployed by FIRS to secure a convenient and easy tax payment process, taxpayers have the choice to either pay their taxes online or manually at the office of their choosing.

In terms of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenues, he disclosed that VAT collection as of last year increased to over N800 billion and hoped to generate N900 billion in 2018.

The Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN) while thanking the Executive Chairman for an inspiring presentation, said that he and his team were now better informed of FIRS' processes and procedures.

“We are very glad at your inspiring and encouraging performance, we are here to

reassure you of our support in making revenue collection in Nigeria better. However, if there is any area wherein you feel we can assist you, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.”

He went on to observe that the country's tax net was too narrow, hence the reason for having less taxpayer presence and voluntary compliance. Prof. Sagay however advised FIRS to build up the tax database in a manner that will be more vigorous in terms of identifying tax defaulters.

“We are not surprised about the excellent feat of FIRS in view of the Executive Chairman's past successes as the Chairman, Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue. We hope that from this progressive step, people who have not been tax compliant will be levied appropriately. My suggestion to the Service is to collaborate with the Corporate Affairs Commission in order to increase the desired outcome in the level of the integrity of the tax database.

He thanked the Executive Chairman for the high sense of dedication to duty and implored that FIRS ensures continuity in accomplishing sustainable development growth.

Executive Chairman warns staff over corrupt practices

By Ayorinde Aghede

The Executive Chairman presenting a book, the ‘Buhari: A New Beginning’ to the Chairman, PACAC, Prof Itse Sagay, SAN

NEWS


FG approves Declaration Certificate under VAIDS

he Federal Government has

Tapproved the issuance of a Declaration Certificate to

taxpayers under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

The Declaration Certificate, which was approved by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, is to be given to taxpayers who voluntarily declared their previously undisclosed assets and income.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler unveiled the VAIDS Declaration Certificate in Abuja at a Workshop organised for Chairmen of State Boards of Internal

Revenue.Fowler disclosed that the

certificate was customised for each state tax authority with several security features and would be issued to the taxpayers upon submission of their declaration forms.

Speaking shortly before unveiling the VAIDS Declaration Certificate, Fowler said the Federal Government had recovered about N30 billion from individuals and corporate establishments through the tax amnesty scheme.

According to him, 90% of the amount was collected by FIRS, while the remaining 10% was recovered by

the states.Fowler, who is also the Chairman

of the Joint Tax Board, stated that the national taxpayers' database had increased from 14 million in 2016 to over 19 million in 2018.

He expressed optimism that the number would translate into a positive growth in the country's tax-to-GDP ratio.

He commended many states of the federation, whom he said have achieved significant success in implementing the tax declaration policy, and urged the various tax administrators to adequately educate, enlighten and sensitise taxpayers to be fully compliant with their tax obligations

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah and the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler with at the presentation of the Declaration Certificateugarcane is a form of grass that belongs to the Poaceae

S family. It is native to the regions of the Old World, ranging from warm temperate ones to tropical ones.

Sugarcane has a stout, jointed and fibrous stalk, which can measure two to six meters in height. They are rich in sugar and today, are being grown in over 200 countries of the world. In

2005, Brazil was the largest producer of sugarcane in the world, followed by India. Apart from being the source of sugar,

sugarcane is also consumed in the raw form, especially in India. The juice from sugarcane is also very healthy and is loaded with a range of essential nutrients. Cane juice is a

natural high-energy drink, which makes it a healthy alternative to refined sugar added drinks. The health and nutrition benefits that result from consuming sugarcane, in the raw form as well

as in the form of juice, are listed below. Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Sugarcane · *Sugarcane, being low on glycemic index, helps · keep the body fit and healthy.· *Sugarcane juice has been found to be very

beneficial for preventing as well as treating sore throat, cold and flu.

· *Since sugarcane has no simple sugar, it can be enjoyed by diabetics without any fear. However, the intake should still be limited for people suffering from type-2 diabetes.

· *Being alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps the body in fighting against cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer.

· *Sugarcane provides glucose to the body, which is stored as glycogen and burned by the muscles, whenever they require energy. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the best sources of energy.

· *If you have been exposed to heat and physical activity for too long, drink sugarcane juice. It will help hydrate the body quickly.

· *Sugarcane is believed to strengthen stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes, brain, and sex organs.

· *Sugarcane juice is an excellent substitute for aerated drinks and cola.

· *Sugarcane clears the urinary flow and also helps the kidney to perform its functions smoothly.

· *Sugarcane juice has been found to be good for those who are suffering from febrile disorders.

· Febrile disorders are responsible for causing fevers, which can result in a great amount of protein loss from the body. Liberal consumption of sugarcane juice provides the necessary protein and other food elements to the body.

· *Sugarcane is beneficial for micturation, caused due to high acidity, along with genorrhoea, enlarged prostate, cyctitis and nepthritis. Mixing sugarcane juice with lime juice, ginger juice and coconut water will give better results.

· *Sugarcane juice is said to speed up the recovery process after jaundice.

· *As sugarcane consists of carbohydrates, in good quantities, it serves to refresh and energize the body. It supplies instant energy to working muscles and for this reason, it is also known to maximize performance in sports and endurance.

· *Sugarcane is also good for digestion, as it can effectively work as a mild laxative because of its high potassium content.

Culled from the internetAMUNE PETER

Sugarcane

NEWS


FG approves Declaration Certificate under VAIDS

he Federal Government has

Tapproved the issuance of a Declaration Certificate to

taxpayers under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

The Declaration Certificate, which was approved by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, is to be given to taxpayers who voluntarily declared their previously undisclosed assets and income.

The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Tunde Fowler unveiled the VAIDS Declaration Certificate in Abuja at a Workshop organised for Chairmen of State Boards of Internal

Revenue.Fowler disclosed that the

certificate was customised for each state tax authority with several security features and would be issued to the taxpayers upon submission of their declaration forms.

Speaking shortly before unveiling the VAIDS Declaration Certificate, Fowler said the Federal Government had recovered about N30 billion from individuals and corporate establishments through the tax amnesty scheme.

According to him, 90% of the amount was collected by FIRS, while the remaining 10% was recovered by

the states.Fowler, who is also the Chairman

of the Joint Tax Board, stated that the national taxpayers' database had increased from 14 million in 2016 to over 19 million in 2018.

He expressed optimism that the number would translate into a positive growth in the country's tax-to-GDP ratio.

He commended many states of the federation, whom he said have achieved significant success in implementing the tax declaration policy, and urged the various tax administrators to adequately educate, enlighten and sensitise taxpayers to be fully compliant with their tax obligations

The Secretary of the JTB, Oseni Elamah and the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Tunde Fowler with at the presentation of the Declaration Certificateugarcane is a form of grass that belongs to the Poaceae

S family. It is native to the regions of the Old World, ranging from warm temperate ones to tropical ones.

Sugarcane has a stout, jointed and fibrous stalk, which can measure two to six meters in height. They are rich in sugar and today, are being grown in over 200 countries of the world. In

2005, Brazil was the largest producer of sugarcane in the world, followed by India. Apart from being the source of sugar,

sugarcane is also consumed in the raw form, especially in India. The juice from sugarcane is also very healthy and is loaded with a range of essential nutrients. Cane juice is a

natural high-energy drink, which makes it a healthy alternative to refined sugar added drinks. The health and nutrition benefits that result from consuming sugarcane, in the raw form as well

as in the form of juice, are listed below. Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Sugarcane · *Sugarcane, being low on glycemic index, helps · keep the body fit and healthy.· *Sugarcane juice has been found to be very

beneficial for preventing as well as treating sore throat, cold and flu.

· *Since sugarcane has no simple sugar, it can be enjoyed by diabetics without any fear. However, the intake should still be limited for people suffering from type-2 diabetes.

· *Being alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps the body in fighting against cancer, especially prostate and breast cancer.

· *Sugarcane provides glucose to the body, which is stored as glycogen and burned by the muscles, whenever they require energy. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the best sources of energy.

· *If you have been exposed to heat and physical activity for too long, drink sugarcane juice. It will help hydrate the body quickly.

· *Sugarcane is believed to strengthen stomach, kidneys, heart, eyes, brain, and sex organs.

· *Sugarcane juice is an excellent substitute for aerated drinks and cola.

· *Sugarcane clears the urinary flow and also helps the kidney to perform its functions smoothly.

· *Sugarcane juice has been found to be good for those who are suffering from febrile disorders.

· Febrile disorders are responsible for causing fevers, which can result in a great amount of protein loss from the body. Liberal consumption of sugarcane juice provides the necessary protein and other food elements to the body.

· *Sugarcane is beneficial for micturation, caused due to high acidity, along with genorrhoea, enlarged prostate, cyctitis and nepthritis. Mixing sugarcane juice with lime juice, ginger juice and coconut water will give better results.

· *Sugarcane juice is said to speed up the recovery process after jaundice.

· *As sugarcane consists of carbohydrates, in good quantities, it serves to refresh and energize the body. It supplies instant energy to working muscles and for this reason, it is also known to maximize performance in sports and endurance.

· *Sugarcane is also good for digestion, as it can effectively work as a mild laxative because of its high potassium content.

Culled from the internetAMUNE PETER

Sugarcane


[email protected]@firs.gov.ng

Documents

A Quarterly Publication of the Federal Inland …...Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Chairman of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Tunde Fowler led other members of the JTB and FIRS staff