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Evidence is essential to boost tax pay, says CITN

By Kunle SHONUGA

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called on the authorities to show visible evidences of taxes collected.

He said such evidences would encourage prompt payment of taxes by individuals and corporate organisations.

The Chairman, CITN Ikeja, Mr Sola Igbalajobi, gave the advice in Lagos on Tuesday. Igbalajobi, a legal practitioner, said the government should encourage manufacturers to duly pay taxes by increasing duties on imported goods.

He said such step would force Nigerians to patronise local products to the detriment of foreign ones. According to him, the institute has found out that some taxes are similar, while some are not.

”We have been talking with the government on which tax should be paid and which should not go. One of the incentives that can make people pay tax is to show evidence of their tax payment.

”When there is pipe borne water in your environment, then you will not be forced to pay your taxes on time.

”When government provides public schools that can compare to private schools, then you will like to send your children to public schools where you will not be paying for anything.

”Government can subsidise many things, so that people will not feel the impact of inflation when it comes,” he said.

Igbalajobi said to encourage voluntary tax payment, the institute recently recognised some individuals and companies for prompt and regular payment of taxes.

Those given awards included the Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr Hamzat Subair, Prof. David Aworawo, Maj.Gen. Olufemi Adeosun (rtd) and Air Comr Darlington Abdullahi (rtd).

Others are Adm Gabriel Okoi (rtd), the MD of Guinness Nigeria Plc and the MD of Chemical and Allied Products Limited (CAPL).

Igbalajobi said individuals and companies should ensure that they paid their taxes to the states and federal governments.

He said chief executive of companies should make ensure that their workers’ Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax were remitted regularly on monthly basis to the LIRS.

According to him, the essence of paying tax is to know that when one saves something for his or herself, then one is planning for tomorrow.

”The essence of paying tax is for governments to provide water, provide electricity and those things that will make life better, that is the essence of paying tax. The Institute has been sensitising the masses on the need to pay taxes.

”Paying taxes regularly will make our country comparable to developed countries. We have to give room for change and development,” he said.

The CITN chairman said the institute would work to develop the younger generation to have interest in taxation and re-engineering of national tax policies.

 

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