RMAFC advocates increasing tax net to boost government revenue 

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has issued a clarion call to all Nigerians, urging them to fulfil their civic duty by paying their taxes.

Alhaji Muhammad Shehu, the Chairman of RMAFC, emphasized the importance of tax payments in bolstering government revenue and enhancing service delivery.  

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja, Shehu expressed concern about the current state of tax compliance in the country.  

He revealed that less than 40 million Nigerians are currently registered in the tax system and actively discharging their tax obligations. He emphasized, “That is too low for a country that has more than 200 million population.” 

Chairman Shehu commended the establishment of a Tax Reform Committee, led by President Bola Tinubu. He believes that this committee holds the potential to significantly expand the tax net, particularly by incorporating economic players from the informal sector. 

Shehu called upon the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to forge a robust partnership with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to identify and address instances of tax evasion.

He highlighted certain situations where individuals underreport their income but engage in high-value imports. 

He emphasized the need for the FIRS to scrutinize such cases and collaborate with the NCS to enhance tax efficiency.

The RMAFC Chair continued by urging all Nigerians to willingly embrace the idea of paying their taxes. He highlighted the crucial role that taxes play in government revenue generation and the subsequent provision of essential services and infrastructure. 

Furthermore, he said Nigerians should view tax payments as a civic duty, similar to paying utility bills or purchasing telephone recharge cards.