FIRS

Abuja, Feb. 14, 2024: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has assured Nigeria’s leading telecom MTN Nigeria Plc and others of a friendly, customer-centric tax administration.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, said this when he received the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr Karl Toriola on Tuesday.

Toriola had led the management team of the company on a visit to the Revenue House.

Adedeji said that the resolve to create an environment of growth by removing every obstacle in the way of corporate entities was in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

He said that the ongoing restructuring at the agency leading to the creation of a one-stop shop for taxpayers according to their turnover thresholds was part of measures aimed at easing payment of taxes.

“The way we are structured now is that we have large taxpayers’ group, medium and small.

“Those in the large tax group are companies with turnover of N5 billion and above and I know that is where MTN belongs.

“In the large tax category, you will now be required to pay all your taxes, including Company Income Tax, VAT and others in that one-stop shop where you can also have issues relating to audit sorted.

“Essentially, the issue of multiple letters from various units within FIRS over almost the same matter has been taken off the system with the restructuring that we have done.

“We are now focused on providing the needed service to our customers,” Adedeji said.

The FIRS chairman said that the relationship between FIRS and the taxpayers was symbiotic.

” Your existence actually determines our own existence. If you discover anything in our policies or operations that you are not conversant with, feel free to reach out to us for clarification. This is how we can co-exist,” he said.

Earlier, Toriola pledged the support of MTN towards the initiatives of the Federal Government and FIRS in increasing tax revenue.

He also pledged the support of MTN towards the initiatives of the Federal Government and also for the FIRS towards making sure that Nigeria’s tax revenue base increased.

“ We have been recognised over the years by a few awards given to us by FIRS on our compliance and diligence in paying our taxes.

“Unlike many other organisations, we have physical presence in every single local government in Nigeria, and we impact the lives of almost everyone living in Nigeria.

“Over the years, through various administrations, we have taken pride in always being a partner and ally to the Federal Government and we do so by ensuring that we pay our taxes on time. We will never deliberately avoid taxes.

“We will show every flexibility to support the various initiatives.

” As MTN Nigeria, we understand the kind of challenges the nation is facing, and we are here to be partners in putting the economy in on the right track,” he said.

Abuja, Feb. 13, 2024: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), says it has no plans to tax online content creators.

According to a staff of the agency who spoke under the condition of anonymity, skit makers are individuals who do not fall within the purview of the FIRS.

“FIRS does not tax Personal Income Tax, States governments do.

“FIRS collects Company Income Tax. Only those who are corporate names and earn profit of N25 million and more are required to pay tax,’’ he said.

A section of the media recently quoted the FIRS as saying that media content creators and influencers constituted a major block of tax evaders.

Meanwhile, the FIRS recently unveiled a new structure to improve the country’s tax administration.

The Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, said that the structure was in pursuit of a more efficient and contemporary tax administration methodology.

He said that the agency was embracing an integrated tax approach, leveraging technology at every step.

“This approach positions FIRS at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our taxpayers in a rapidly changing world.

“The structure advocates a comprehensive approach to taxpayer services, consolidating our core functions and support under one umbrella.

“By tailoring our services to specific taxpayer segments, we aim to simplify the taxpayer experience.

“No more complexities, no more overlaps, just a seamless and user-friendly interaction for every taxpayer,’’ he said.

He said that the move would shift the agency away from traditional tax categorisation.

Abuja, Feb. 7, 2024: The Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, have assured Nigerians that the high cost of living being witnessed by Nigerians is currently being addressed.

Mr Olayemi Cardoso, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Mr Zacch Adedeji, Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), joined the ministers to allay the fear of Nigerians about the current inflation.

They all spoke when they appeared at the sectoral debate organised by the House of Representatives for the finance sector and stakeholders on the current cost of living at Plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking, Edun, who is also the coordinating minister of the economy, said, “Where we are as a nation is a much better place than we were in on May 29, 2023.”

He added that Nigeria as a country was on the road to economic disaster by way of subsidy on fuel, adding that it was expected that there would be challenges as a result of subsidy removal.

Edun said that inflation had increased and the cost of living had spiked, but stated that President Bola Tinubu was committed to protecting the poorest and the vulnerable.

“As things improve, there will be further intervention on behalf of the vulnerable to assist in the cost of living.

“Let us be confident, calm, and assured that Nigeria will change in terms of economic management and that there will be intervention in every sector.”

According to him, there is a need to tackle inflation because full inflation accounts for 33 percent of the consumer price index.

He said there was a need to return to production, adding that industry however, required energy to function optimally and that the President was also committed to using state power to subdue vested interest in the oil sector.

On his part, Bagudu said the president was committed to national development, adding that the president reckoned with the challenges of the living conditions of the people.

“What is happening in our country is obvious to someone visiting a construction site; we are very clear that we are on the right path and the challenges of the moment are being tackled.

“We are getting support from international partners, and they are all acknowledging the commendable steps that the president is taking.

“We have seen investments in the rail sector, the NNLG, and we assure you that we will overcome the challenges of the moment and sustain the economic growth as promised by the President,” he said.

In a related development, Cardoso expressed confidence that positive outcomes from the administration of Tinubu were already emerging and would further emerge in the near future.

“The concern as per the cost of living is genuine, and the urgency of the matter is not lost on us at the CBN, and we are working tirelessly to bring up a lasting solution.

He said inflation was expected to decline in 2024, adding that this would be aided by improved agricultural productivity.

He said that the challenges of the exchange rate had been tackled, adding that they were fueled by speculation, increased forex demand, increased capital outflow, excess liquidity, and increased demand, among others.

He said the CBN was addressing the forex demand by clearing forex operations and adjusting the remuneration standard deposit, among others.

Speaking, the FIRS boss, Mr Adedeji, said the service was not a revenue-generating agency but a revenue-collection agency, adding that the agency was doing a lot to increase the nation’s revenue base.

According to him, the target for 2023 revenue was N10 trillion, and we achieved N12.3 trillion because of the decision taken by the president.

Adedeji said the president took the decision to rectify the distortion in the economic parameters and remove the fuel subsidy.

According to him, we have overperformance from VAT collection and company income tax. We have the target of collecting N19.2 trillion in 2024.

The chairman added that the N19.2 trillion target was based on the fact that it would not collect new taxes but bring more people into the tax rate.

He said less than 60 companies, as of today, contribute less than 60 percent to the nation’s company income tax.

Meanwhile, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the sectoral debate with the Ministers of CBN and FIRS, said it was imperative to recognize the urgency and importance of the agenda before it.

He said, “We must also confront the stark realities of the economic, fiscal, and revenue challenges that our beloved nation, Nigeria, is currently facing.

“In the face of global economic shifts and domestic challenges, it is clear that robust reform measures are not just beneficial but imperative.

“We are at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make and the policies we implement will impact the lives of millions of Nigerians”

He said the reform should not only address immediate needs but also lay a resilient and dynamic framework that would adapt to future challenges and opportunities.

According to him, these measures should stimulate growth, foster innovation, and uplift the lives of every Nigerian.

Abuja,, Dec. 4,.2023: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has approved amnesty on penalties and interests for outstanding tax liabilities.

The Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

The FIRS imposed sanctions and interests for failure by companies to fulfil their tax obligations.

Adedeji said that the step was in recognition of the challenges that many taxpayers had faced in settling their tax obligations.

He said that it was a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to support businesses.

According to him, full payment of outstanding original tax liabilities without interest on or before Dec. 31 must be done by companies wishing to benefit from the concession.

“Taxpayers are advised that the waiver of interest is subject to the full settlement of outstanding principal on or before 31 Dec. 2023.

“Please note that the full penalty and interest shall be reinstated after the expiration of this one-off concession window where the outstanding undisputed liability remains fully or partially unpaid.

“The Service appreciates all taxpayers who have been diligent in complying with their tax obligations as and when due while seeking their continued support and cooperation for a more responsive and robust tax system,” he said.

The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) generated more than N10.04 trillion in 2022, its Tax Controller, Enugu Medium and Small Tax Office, Mrs Stella Obiora, has said.

Obiora, represented by the Executive Chairman of the agency, Mr Muhammed Nami, stated in Enugu on Friday during their special day at the ongoing 34th Enugu International Trade Fair.

She said the management of the FIRS had absolute trust in the capabilities and far-reaching economic impact of the Enugu International Trade Fair.

Objora said that the FIRS as the top tax authority in Nigeria was saddled with the responsibility of assessing, collecting and accounting for all revenues collected on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

She, however, said that policy conception, formulation and execution without deliberate human capital development cannot lead to a sustained economic development.

Obiora said that one of the four cardinal goals of the current management of the Service led, by Nami, emphasised on rebuilding FIRS institutional frameworks.

“Our focus on building and strengthening human capacity has continuously improved our revenue collection year to year.

“In 2022, we collected N10.04 trillion. This underscores the efforts and capacity of our staff members.

“Beyond our focus on developing our human capital resources, it is obvious that revenue from oil which used to be the main source of government revenue is fast depleting and this has given rise to the need to look towards the non-oil revenue sources for a more sustainable way of raising income.

“We have, therefore, introduced some reforms which includes: Introduction of the TaxproMax Solution which is an in-house e-service solution that allows taxpayers to register, file their returns, make payments and carry out other tax obligations seamlessly.

“The Service has also introduced Self-Service Stations in all our tax offices across the country where taxpayers can walk in and have access to internet and use the TaxproMax solution to transact business with the Service.

“These initiatives are meant to make tax compliance as easy as ABC.

“We also have a world class fully automated contact centre where taxpayers can call to lodge their complaints and make enquiries in various languages that include English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Pidgin, French and Arabic, and will be attended to promptly by our well-trained professional staff.

“I implore the Enugu State Government to also introduce reforms in collaboration with the relevant government agencies that will produce positive changes and improve voluntary compliance which will lead to increase in revenue generation” she said.

She encouraged all businesses and the general public to continue to perform their civic responsibility by paying their taxes as at when due to avoid sanctions, adding that taxes paid are used by government for various developmental programmes.

In his welcome address, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Jasper Nduagwuike, represented by the Vice President, Publication and Publicity, Mr Emma Nwamkpa, said that tax harmonisation is crucial and still needs urgent attention in the country.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that taxpayers can now get their tax clearance certificates with a single click on Taxpro Max solution.

The TaxPro Max is a tax administration solution introduced by FIRS in June 2021 as a one-stop-shop for taxpayer registration, tax returns filing, tax payment and tax clearance certificate requests, among other activities.

In a statement yesterday by the Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammed Nami, on (Media & Communication), Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, said generation of the certificates, which used to be issued within a period of 2 weeks will now be available on a single click by the taxpayer.

He said the innovation was on the heels of wide-scale technological reforms that the service has embarked on in its bid to achieve hundred per cent automation of its tax administration functions.

Nami noted that the new mode of certificate generation was in line with the objectives of the service to make the lives of taxpayers easier and ensure the ease of doing business in the country.

“One of our objectives as a service is to build a customer-centric institution. That means an institution that has the customer at the heart of its innovations and solutions.

“It is for this reason that we have tuned the operations of our TaxPro Max solution to be able to deliver tax clearance certificates in the shortest possible time to taxpayers as long as they do not have any liabilities. At the click of a button, a taxpayer will get their tax clearance certificates, as long as they have no outstanding liabilities,” he said.