Stakeholders in Abia State have called for improved taxpayer education, transparent tax administration and effective grievance-redress mechanisms to strengthen public understanding of taxation and build trust between taxpayers and government.
The call was made on Thursday during a consultation forum organised by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) Nigeria in partnership with the Abia State Internal Revenue Service (ABIRS) to identify taxpayers’ information needs, concerns and areas requiring improvement in the state’s tax system.
The forum was held under a project titled Building Trust in Nigeria’s Tax Reform, which seeks to strengthen tax grievance-redress mechanisms and improve taxpayer education.
The Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator of IBP Nigeria said the consultation was aimed at understanding taxpayers’ experiences and ensuring that their concerns inform improvements to the state’s tax information system.
She explained that the engagement was particularly important as Nigeria implements new tax reforms, stressing the need for taxpayers to understand what they are paying, why they are paying and how the revenue is utilised.
According to her, the discussions highlighted gaps in taxpayer awareness, including limited understanding of tax obligations, confusion over the responsibilities of state and local government tax collectors, and the need to communicate tax information in local languages such as Igbo.
She said improving communication would help taxpayers better understand their obligations and promote compliance, adding that the partnership would work with the state government to identify gaps, develop an action plan and support the implementation of agreed solutions.
The coordinator clarified that the organisation was not in the state to enforce its recommendations but to collaborate with government institutions and other stakeholders to improve tax administration.
She maintained that taxation was an obligation and a source of revenue for government, urging taxpayers to fulfil their responsibilities once they understood the applicable taxes and the purposes for which the revenue was collected.
Also speaking, policy and development consultant and facilitator, Mr Edosa Oviawe, said the project was designed to strengthen the tax system and ensure fairness, transparency and accountability in the administration of taxes.
Oviawe identified four major laws underpinning the ongoing tax reforms: the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act.
He said the consultation was intended to assess existing tax grievance mechanisms, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop an action plan to address concerns raised by taxpayers and other stakeholders.
According to him, the project seeks to improve communication between tax collectors and taxpayers, ensuring that residents, traders, workers and business operators understand what they are required to pay and how to make payments through appropriate channels.
He explained that the meeting brought together government representatives, civil society organisations and market stakeholders to discuss their experiences and propose practical solutions to challenges affecting tax administration in Abia.
Oviawe urged participants to speak on behalf of the wider population and contribute ideas that could improve the state’s tax information system.
He added that the consultation was a diagnostic exercise rather than an evaluation of the state revenue service, noting that the concerns raised would inform an action plan for improving taxpayer communication and addressing complaints.
In her remarks, the Director of Audit and Investigation at the Abia State Internal Revenue Service, Ijeoma Onyeaso, urged residents to comply with tax laws while exercising their rights when dealing with government officials.
She emphasised the need for mutual respect between taxpayers and tax officials, advising residents not to allow themselves to be intimidated when visiting government offices.
Onyeaso also stressed the importance of lawful conduct and cooperation between taxpayers and relevant authorities, noting that improved understanding of tax obligations was necessary for effective tax administration.
Representatives of the revenue service welcomed the participants and encouraged them to openly discuss challenges affecting them, their communities and their businesses.
The organisers said the feedback gathered at the consultation would be documented and used to develop an action plan to improve taxpayer education, communication and grievance-redress mechanisms in Abia State.
