The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has urged Nigerians to shift their perspective on tax payments, encouraging them to view it not as a penalty or burden but as a vital civic responsibility that fuels national progress.
During a one-day awareness seminar titled ‘The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance’ held in Kaduna, FIRS Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji highlighted the widespread misconceptions surrounding taxation among the populace.
Represented by his Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Adedeji remarked, “Many individuals fail to recognize tax payment as a civic obligation. For some, it feels like an onerous duty or a form of punishment, while others simply try to evade it.”
He stressed that beyond mere enforcement and penalties, fostering a culture where citizens willingly meet their tax obligations-motivated by an understanding of its benefits-is crucial.
Adedeji elaborated that taxes are the backbone of funding essential public infrastructure such as healthcare facilities, transportation networks, and social welfare programs, emphasizing that sustainable national growth is unattainable without effective taxation.
He further underscored the media’s pivotal role in transforming public attitudes toward taxation by dispelling myths, correcting misinformation, and encouraging voluntary compliance.
“Journalists who break down complex tax regulations into accessible language empower the public with knowledge. An informed taxpayer is more assured, and a confident taxpayer is more inclined to comply,” he stated.
Adedeji also pointed out that the FIRS has lowered VAT rates on key commodities like pharmaceuticals and housing to alleviate the tax load on everyday Nigerians, yet misinformation continues to cloud public perception.
He called on media professionals to serve as educators, watchdogs, and advocates to help citizens recognize the advantages of voluntary tax payment, noting that the FIRS Communication Department cannot achieve this alone.
Additionally, Aisha Larai Wushishi, the State Administrator for Benue, Kaduna, and Plateau States, emphasized the critical role of journalists in tax education.
In a presentation titled ‘Voluntary Tax Compliance: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria,’ Dr. Mohammed Adamu affirmed that taxation remains the most dependable revenue stream for governments and should be embraced as a civic duty by all citizens.
Dr. Adamu identified fairness in tax policies, comprehensive taxpayer education, transparency, and accountability as fundamental factors that encourage compliance.
In a separate address, Ishaku Ankuma, Senior Manager of Tax at the Kaduna Government Business Office, outlined key compliance practices including proper registration, meticulous record-keeping, timely submission of tax returns, and prompt payment and remittance of withholding taxes.
Ankuma cautioned that non-compliance can lead to severe penalties such as hefty fines, accrued interest, potential criminal prosecution, and damage to one’s reputation. He also noted that tax compliance certificates have become mandatory for numerous financial transactions.
