By NOEL ONOJA

…Telecoms, others follow soon
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is to commence implementation of automated Value Added Tax (VAT) and withholding tax deductions at source for the aviation industry beginning from September 2013. Other sectors such as the telecommunication and financial services sector are to follow after.

Acting Executive Chairman of FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mashi made this known in Abuja at a one-day sensitisation workshop for FIRS field officers, collection agents and banks. The pilot scheme of the automation processes which is expected to go live in the third quarter of 2013 would cover other sectors such as Telecommunications, Power, and financial institutions.

Mashi, represented by the Coordinating Director, Direct Report Group (DRG), Mr. Onyekachi Ihedioha, also listed the automation of all our receipt processes, increase in the number of payment channels as well as the implementation of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS)  among steps taken by FIRS to ensure increased tax revenue collection for the government. He also disclosed that FIRS is collaborating with banks to make the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) mandatory for opening of an account and all transaction with individuals and corporate bodies.

Mashi said: “We have extended invitations to our collecting agents for their magnanimity in collecting and remitting taxes on behalf of the Service. Businesses now know that there is no hiding place for them anymore. Yes, they can run, but they can no longer hide.  We appreciate the level of cooperation thus far in the implementation of the Taxpayers Identification Number (TIN) system. We have achieved some significant mileage with the introduction of TIN and we hope that banks will fully adopt the “No TIN, No Account” option as we go on.”

According to him, suffice it to say that efficient revenue management entails generating the maximum level of revenue without leakages, prompt delivery of quality services to the taxpaying public and high level of transparency and accountability. He said while part of the ITAS project focuses on tax payers’ registration using TIN, the filing, registration and returns processes, payment processing was being addressed by the collection automation project.

The FIRS boss said “We have adequate mechanisms for proper analysis and monitoring of these initiatives to enable us address attendant challenges as they occur.