The Challenge of obsolete and manually obtained taxpayers’ data in tax administration can be curbed by an effective implementation of Tax Identification Number (TIN) regulations.
This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the sensitization workshop on TIN regulations 2014 organized by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) in Benin City.
The communiqué noted that the primary objectives of TIN premised on centralized database for tax authorities in the country would lead to an increased revenue base for the three tiers of government.
The workshop which was moderated by Hon. Justice Joy Oghogho Okeaya-Inneh said that taxpayers in line with TIN regulations/Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) are expected to make their TIN available in any form of transaction involving income taxes.
It pointed out that harmonization derivable from the central database would help to mitigate the challenges/hardship pose by multiple taxation in the country adding that availability of TIN information would no doubt widen tax base, enhance tax compliance and reduce cost of tax collections.
It lamented that while most banks complied with the requirements of submitting information of newly opened bank accounts the requirement for the supply of TIN was not being enforced.
The workshop advocated stiff penalties for tax officer who supply wrong information, just as it maintained that the violations of the provisions of TIN regulations was punishable under section 13 of the TIN regulation Act.
While citing some of the challenges to include, “the requirement of TIN regulations to the effect that foreigners concerned with the remittance of withholding tax should obtain TIN, create hardship as physical capturing of such category of taxpayers would involved their travelling to Nigeria for the exercise.
The workshop however, urged tax authorities to look into the challenges.
It further recommended that tax officers should ensure they use available legal means to ensuring that taxpayers within their jurisdictions obtain the TIN.
The workshop stressed the need for continuous training and sensitization of with a view of incorporating other tax stakeholders.
The workshop featured lectures by The Executive Directors, EIRS, Barr. Emmanuel Usoh and Barr. John Obazee on TIN regulations/review of sections 1-15.
