FIRS outlines measures to make elite pay more taxes

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it has outlined a clear roadmap to ensure that Nigerian elite pay more taxes.

The FIRS which presented the roadmap weekend, during the final day of its Management Retreat, affirmed that Nigeria stands at the threshold of a new, transparent, accountable and fair tax regime in which those who earn more from the system pay a more equitable share of their income

According to a statement by the FIRS Director of Communications, Mr. Abdullah Ismaila, the Lead Paper of the day was delivered by a renowned tax expert, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, titled “Strategies for implementing the New VAT Regime” dispelled fears that the new 7.5% VAT would impact negatively on poor Nigerians. He made clear that the well-to-do would now pay their fair share of taxes in the country unlike before.

“Oyedele foregrounded the key to building this fair, equitable tax system in transparency, accountability, integrity, work and objectivity to build confidence in taxpayers and stakeholders in the tax sector.

“Towards accomplishing this, the FIRS 2020 Corporate Plan was also unveiled at yesterday’s session and subjected to a robust, on-the-spot.

“Capping the day was the official presentation of the new FIRS Organizational Structure as approved by the Service’s Board. Presenting the new organizational structure, Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami, disclosed that many posts in the organogram were vacant and open to the FIRS officials.

“He charged them to distinguish themselves in the shortest possible time by meeting set collection targets in order to take up these available positions of higher responsibilities, stressing that the vacancies are strictly available on measurable merit and performance criteria only,” Ismaila said.