New Operational Structure Will Eliminate Confusion In Tax Administration – FIRS

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Nigeria says its new operational structure that is being established at the FIRS will eliminate confusion and redundancy in tax administration in Nigeria.

The Executive Chairman FIRS, Zacch Adedeji disclosed this in Abuja at the management retreat of the Service with the theme “Re-imagining Tax Administration for Equity and Economic Growth.”

He said the event marks a historic moment as the Service unveils the new FIRS organisational structure, a critical milestone in its commitment to revolutionise tax administration in Nigeria.

“The cornerstone of this paradigm shift is the establishment of a customer-centric organizational structure designed to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in our tax operations. We are not merely adapting to change; we are leading it. The forthcoming structure, set to kick off from February 2024, embodies our dedication to modernize and digitize the tax administration landscape in Nigeria.”
“In our pursuit for a more efficient and contemporary tax administration methodology, we are embracing an integrated tax approach, leveraging technology at every step. This approach positions FIRS at the forefront of innovation, ensuring that we meet the evolving needs of our taxpayers in a rapidly changing world.”

He noted that “The Service collected N12.3 trillion revenue in 2023, as the new target for the year is N19.4 trillion, which is why the establishment of a customer-centric organisational structure designed to streamline processes and enhance efficiency in the FIRS tax operations will be set up.”

He added that the forthcoming structure, set to kick off from February 2024, will be targeted at digitising the tax administration landscape in Nigeria.

For the Minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the economy Wale Edun, the government aims to improve tax to ;GDP ratio to 18% in the coming years with the Tax Policy and Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee’s commitment, along with the FIRS.

“Our tax to GDP target is 18 per cent from the current 10.8 per cent and the FIRS is a strategic agency that has been mandated by the federal government to achieve that.
“If you see the 2024 budget, revenue target has been increased and the Service has a target of about N19 trillion this financial year, the only way to achieve that is to strategize and deploy technology to ensure that our tax revenues are increased for economic growth,”

The minister therefore, enjoined the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to deploy the needed technology in driving tax revenue and meet the 18% tax to GDP target in the shortest possible time?

Olusola Akintonde