No Nigerian can evade tax payment with VAIDS – Fowler

The Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Babatunde
Fowler, says with the introduction of Voluntary Assets and Income
Declaration Scheme no Nigerian can evade tax payment.

Fowler said this at the 138th Quarterly Meeting of the Joint Tax
Board on Monday in Abuja.

The theme of the meeting was “Administering Voluntary Assets and
Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) – 2017 in Nigeria: The role of
stakeholders.’’

Fowler, also the Chairman of JTB, said every Nigerian would be
held accountable with the introduction of the new scheme.

He said that the so called “untouchable citizens” were willing
to pay tax without forcing them under the scheme.

According to him, the board has received positive response so
far on the scheme.

To improve tax compliance, the Federal Government said tax
offenders stand to enjoy 29 per cent waiver on overdue taxes if
they take advantage of VAIDS.

The VAIDS programme is aimed at reducing tax payers’ liability
and creates more awareness on the statutory function of every
working citizen to pay tax.

The scheme which started July 1, offers a window for those who,
before now, have not complied with extant tax regulations to remedy
their positions by providing them limited amnesty to enable
voluntary declaration and payment of liabilities.

Fowler said the Memorandum of Understanding adopted between the
FIRS and State Internal Revenue Service including that of VAIDS had
been working very well.

“From the point of FIRS, all the money generated is shared
between the three tiers of government; the collaboration between
states and FIRS is improving.

“I hope the collaboration will continue to get better,’’ he
said.

Fowler said that the JTB meeting had improved the collaboration
between private and public sector.

He said the meeting would focus on the review of VAIDS and
actions that would be taken after the implementation of the
scheme.

“I will also want to thank the stakeholders for all the
activities and the Acting President who is in the fore front of the
tax drive.’’

The meeting witnessed the handing over of the outgoing Executive
Secretary and Incoming one.

The new Executive Secretary, Mr Oseni Elamah pledged to serve
the body and to take it to a greater height.

“I pledge to serve you as a body and to also support each of you
individually in your various capacities toward the realisation of
Joint Tax Board in creating a tax friendly environment.

“I will also support you in fulfilling your mandate to optimise
revenue for the various tiers of government,’’ Elamah said.

Elamah is the immediate past Chairman of Edo State Internal
Revenue Service.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the outgoing Executive
Secretary of JTB urged the new official to take the board to a
greater height.

Abubakar, who served for seven years, called on the members of
the board to support Elamah to enable him succeed.

No fewer than 90 participants from JTB, FIRS, State Internal
Revenue Service and representatives of Nigeria Governor’s Forum
attended the meeting.

(NAN)

The Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Babatunde
Fowler, says with the introduction of Voluntary Assets and Income
Declaration Scheme no Nigerian can evade tax payment.

Fowler said this at the 138th Quarterly Meeting of the Joint Tax
Board on Monday in Abuja.

The theme of the meeting was “Administering Voluntary Assets and
Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) – 2017 in Nigeria: The role of
stakeholders.’’

Fowler, also the Chairman of JTB, said every Nigerian would be
held accountable with the introduction of the new scheme.

He said that the so called “untouchable citizens” were willing
to pay tax without forcing them under the scheme.

According to him, the board has received positive response so
far on the scheme.

To improve tax compliance, the Federal Government said tax
offenders stand to enjoy 29 per cent waiver on overdue taxes if
they take advantage of VAIDS.

The VAIDS programme is aimed at reducing tax payers’ liability
and creates more awareness on the statutory function of every
working citizen to pay tax.

The scheme which started July 1, offers a window for those who,
before now, have not complied with extant tax regulations to remedy
their positions by providing them limited amnesty to enable
voluntary declaration and payment of liabilities.

Fowler said the Memorandum of Understanding adopted between the
FIRS and State Internal Revenue Service including that of VAIDS had
been working very well.

“From the point of FIRS, all the money generated is shared
between the three tiers of government; the collaboration between
states and FIRS is improving.

“I hope the collaboration will continue to get better,’’ he
said.

Fowler said that the JTB meeting had improved the collaboration
between private and public sector.

He said the meeting would focus on the review of VAIDS and
actions that would be taken after the implementation of the
scheme.

“I will also want to thank the stakeholders for all the
activities and the Acting President who is in the fore front of the
tax drive.’’

The meeting witnessed the handing over of the outgoing Executive
Secretary and Incoming one.

The new Executive Secretary, Mr Oseni Elamah pledged to serve
the body and to take it to a greater height.

“I pledge to serve you as a body and to also support each of you
individually in your various capacities toward the realisation of
Joint Tax Board in creating a tax friendly environment.

“I will also support you in fulfilling your mandate to optimise
revenue for the various tiers of government,’’ Elamah said.

Elamah is the immediate past Chairman of Edo State Internal
Revenue Service.

Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Abubakar, the outgoing Executive
Secretary of JTB urged the new official to take the board to a
greater height.

Abubakar, who served for seven years, called on the members of
the board to support Elamah to enable him succeed.

No fewer than 90 participants from JTB, FIRS, State Internal
Revenue Service and representatives of Nigeria Governor’s Forum
attended the meeting.

(NAN)