The Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi II, has called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to look into the issue of multiple taxation suffered by Nigerians.
Sanusi made the call when the FIRS Chairman, Mr Tunde Fowler, paid him a courtesy call at his palace on Monday in Kano.
The Emir said that there was need for the agency to address the issue of multiple taxation in view of its negative effects on tax payers in the country.
Sanusi also called on the agency to embark on massive public enlightenment campaign on the importance of paying tax.
He said the sentisitisation campaign was necessary so as to let people know the benefits derivable from paying tax.
“People should ensure prompt payment of tax to enable government provide the needed facilities,’’ Sanusi said.
Earlier, the FIRS Chairman, Mr Tunde Fowler, called on the Emir to use his good office and sensitise his subjects on the need for them to pay tax.
Fowler told the Emir that he was at the palace to seek his blessings and good advice on the way forward.
“With your encouragement and support, all tax payers will pay their tax,’’ Fowler said.
Meanwhile, Fowler has announced that FIRS is targeting a revenue of N4.9 trillion in 2016.
He disclosed this on Monday at the opening of the 134th Joint Tax Board meeting in Kano.
Fowler assured that 80 per cent of the targeted amount would be collected before the end of the year.
“It is a known fact that once the oil price drops, the revenue from the sector will drop. So, our mandate now is to ensure increase in the non-oil revenue to ensure stability in the entire system,’’ Fowler said.
He said that the meeting would address challenges militating against effective tax administration in the country.
He recalled that the Inspector-General of Police had dismantled all road blocks across the country as part of efforts to check indiscriminate and multiple tax payment.
“The meeting will also review all the existing tax laws with a view to ensuring their effective implementation for great result,’’ he said.
Fowler called on the participants to come up with useful suggestions to improve revenue from tax in the country.
Earlier, Kano State Commissioner for Finance, Prof. Kabir Dandago, said the state government would continue to support measures aimed at improving internal revenue generation, not only for the state but for the country.
The theme of the meeting is: “Imperatives of Transitioning from Oil Revenue Dependency to Non-oil Revenue Sufficient.’’
It was attended by heads of board of internal revenue service from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
