No Consultants In Nigeria’s Tax Overhaul, Oyedele Insists – Here’s Why

No Consultants In Nigeria’s Tax Overhaul, Oyedele Insists – Here’s Why

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax and Fiscal Reform, has firmly stated that the controversial Tax Reform Bill does not include any provision for consultants...READ MORE..

to collect taxes on behalf of the government.

There has been considerable debate over the bill, with concerns raised by Northern politicians, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and other stakeholders. Critics, particularly of Section 69, argued that the bill allows consultants to handle tax collection.

In response, Oyedele clarified that the critics had misunderstood this section. “To address the confusion surrounding the tax reform bills, we wish to clarify that there is no provision for consultants to be involved in tax collection. In fact, Section 19(3) of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill explicitly prohibits the use of consultants for tax assessment or collection,” he explained.

He further emphasized that Section 69, which mentions the use of technology, such as third-party payment platforms or apps, to facilitate tax collection, is not a new proposal. “This provision already exists under Section 25 of the FIRS Establishment Act 2007, as amended in the Finance Act of 2021. The tax bills simply reinforce the idea of using technology to streamline tax administration and improve compliance.”

Oyedele also noted that while the tax authorities may collaborate with third parties for technology solutions, this does not affect the transparency of the system. “The tax authority must operate under a strict governance framework, as outlined in the First Schedule of the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, ensuring measures to avoid conflicts of interest,” he added. He further assured that the tax authorities would report their activities to the finance minister, who is required to present the findings to the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.

For More Information And News Update, Join Ireporteronline WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaV4jB6DuMRgwqnJCF32 For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 09010649814 on Whatsapp