Apparently concerned about the negative implications of abuses for the current’s efforts to boost the nation’s tax revenue profile, the Federal Government today advised tax payers to demand for written notice whenever tax officials are asking them to pay their tax liabilities.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who gave the advice in a statement, urged tax payers not to act on any informal tax demand by spurious officials, including through phone calls from tax officials.
The minister stated the stance of the government while reacting to the activities of some fake tax officials, who are allegedly claiming to be officials of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).
The minister clarified: “My attention has been drawn to reports of some unidentified tax officials requesting for bank details and address of tax payers.
“If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Tax Office, do not panic. Ask them to send you a written notice. Do not provide any details like your address or bank details”, Adeosun added.
Meanwhile, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, have honoured a consistent tax payer, Elder Lema Jibrin.
Jibrin was honoured during the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) Sensitisation programme in Kaduna on Thursday.
The Kaduna State Governor noted that Jibrin had consistently paid tax to the government for 40 years, rating him as the most tax compliant Nigerian.
el-Rufai said: “Elder Lema Jibrin, the Dan Iyan Katsina, is the most tax compliant Nigerian. He has been paying his taxes consistently for 40 years and has not relented or evaded the payment of taxes.”
Adeosun commended Elder Jibrin for his consistency and diligence in tax payment, and urged tax payers to utilise the VAIDS amnesty programme of the Federal Government to regularise their tax profiles.
