The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has challenged taxpayers across the country to report unwholesome practices by any FIRS official especially in processing Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
Kabir Mashi, acting executive chairman, FIRS who issued this statement to taxpayers said the issuance of TCC is expected to take two weeks after a taxpayer had fulfilled all tax obligations.
He added: “To obtain TIN is free of charge and taxpayers must be ready to speak up when there is a demand from tax officials to facilitate the issuance of TIN and TCC”.
Mashi, who made this warning last month in Ibadan at FIRS, South-West Regional Enlarged Management Meeting (REMM), said the Service would be compelled to invoke relevant laws against recalcitrant taxpayers.
The monthly REMM of the FIRS is designed to encourage dialogue between staff at the field offices and bring the management closer to field operations staff.
“Efficiency and effective service delivery to taxpayers must be the bedrock for voluntarily tax compliance and that FIRS management would not compromise any unethical practice from members of staff,” he added.
FIRS has commenced enforcement activities against corporate bodies and individuals who have not filed their Tax Returns and failed to voluntarily fulfil their tax obligations by due dates.
The Tax Law requires companies, with 31st December as their End of Year Accounting Date, to file their tax returns on or before the end of June of every year.
However, FIRS had given a window – extension of time – up till August 31, 2014 to enable some companies meet up with the requirements of the International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).
“Closely linked to this is the issue of high moral and ethical conduct across our offices in the country. I appeal to you to shun unwholesome practices such as touting, forgery, connivance, tax negotiation, leakage of official documents and insubordination.
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“We have reconstituted the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU), FIRS chapter in line with the directive of His Excellency, Mr. President to check such activities within the Service.
“Let us be careful and live above board as there will be no sacred cows in this campaign against sharp practices in the organisation,” Mashi said.
Iheanyi Nwachukwu
