Nigeria Now Has 35 Million Taxpayers – JTB

Mr Ejump

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The database of taxpayers in Nigeria has increased from 20 million to 35 million according to The Joint Tax Board (JTB).

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr Oseni Elamah, revealed this in a brief interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Sunday in Abuja.

Mr Elamah further explained that the great feat was achieved as a result of the ongoing database consolidation of JTB, an initiative being carried out in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).
He said that the figure of the taxpayers is combined with both individuals and corporate bodies.

He said that this showed that there was a massive increase of the database, imagine when that translated to actual taxes that were collected in Naira and Kobo.

We are trying to break them into classes of taxpayers and various jurisdictions where they reside, state by state.

“Hopefully, this information will be communicated to all the states by first week of January and then we will ask them to file their reports for tax assessment. From the information, we will tell Nigerians, how many are teachers, artisans, entertainers among others,” he said.

Mr Elamah disclosed that on the average, about 22 per cent growth in tax revenue had been recorded in both state revenue services and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) when compared to 2017.

He further stated that this figure was collated as at third quarter; and it would move to 30 per cent by the end of last quarter. By end of the year, 2018 will be one of the best results ever posted by FIRS and most of the states.

He stated that with the coming of the Tax Identification Number (TIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN), the tax authorities were currently tackling incomes of taxpayers and making sure they paid their taxes as at when due.

He gave the assurance that the board would create more public awareness and increase in voluntary compliance and also enhance the capacity of workers to be tax professionals while commending Executive chairman of FIRS and the JTB, Mr Babatunde Fowler for his role in achieving the feat within a short while.
(NAN)