The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS says a robust tax payment system that is in conformity with global best practices has been put in place to ease the payment process and boost revenue collection.
This measure according to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has simplified and enhanced the ease with which taxes can be paid without stress.
Reeling out the agency’s achievement since assumption of office in September 2023 at a media parley in Lagos, Thursday, attended by members of the commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria, CICAN, Chairman of the Agency, Dr Zacch Adedeji, noted that there has been a significant improvement in tax compliance in the country within the period he wanted the saddle at FIRS.
Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, who disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos highlighted the many transformative initiatives introduced under the current leadership of Dr. Adedeji and how these have impacted positively on the image, administration and revenue profile of the tax agency.
Adekanbi restated the FIRS’s commitment to fair tax administration through responsive and accessible service to optimise revenue collection for national development .
In doing this, the Service leverages on its mandate to assess, collect and account for revenue accruable to the nation while administering the relevant tax laws.
To actualise it’s vision of becoming one of the world’s most efficient and trusted revenue service, the FIRS he added, is in pursuit of optimizing operations and enhancing overall effectiveness.
The Agency under his leadership he explained, achieved 107 per cent increase in revenue at N12.36 trillion.in 2024 as against a revenue of N11.55 trillion in 2023
Adekanbi also revealed that the tax Agency ” has strategically realigned its focus to bolster productivity, efficiency, and cultivate customer-centric ethos.”
He recounted how Adedeji’s tenure has seen the FIRS capture over 170,000 new payers into the tax net with the Agency netting 81% of tax collection in the first quarter of 2024, amounting to 3.94 trillion.
Adedeji’s regime he argued has revolutionised tax office operation into a streamlined “One stop shop” catering to diverse taxpayers by their categories; Large taxpayer, Medium taxpayer and Small taxpayer.
“This has improved customer satisfaction and has significantly reduced customer complaints between the 4th quarter of 2023 and the 1st quarter of 2024.
“We have achieved remarkable success in simplifying tax processes by offering personalised services and enhancing tax education. Increase tax compliance by 20%.
“The service launched the National Single Window initiative which aims to spur economic growth, providing business enterprises with effortless access to the global market by facilitating fast and easy operation at the nation’s port while harmonising and improving government revenue.” He declared.
As part of this endeavour to meet new targets, FIRS has revised its structure to reflect; People-Centric, Effectiveness & Efficiency, Cohesiveness, Data-Driven Approaches, Adaptability, and Cutting-Edge Innovation.”
He reiterated that the FIRS strategy, geared towards the effective delivery of its mandate to be one of the world’s most efficient and trusted revenue service, is anchored on People, Technology and Processes.