Taxpayers database hits 35m, says JTB

More Nigerians are paying taxes.

The taxpayers’ data base has expanded from 20 million to 35 million, the Joint Tax Board (JTB) said yesterday through its Executive Secretary Oseni Elamah.

Elamah said the feat was achieved as a result of the ongoing database consolidation of the JTB, an initiative being executed in collaboration with the Nigeria Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

He said the taxpayers comprised individuals and corporate bodies.

The JTB secretary said that the development showed that there was massive expansion of database, pointing out that one could imagine when that translated to actual taxes in cash.

He said:  ”At the moment, we are trying to break them into classes of taxpayers and various jurisdictions where they reside, state by state.

“Hopefully, by first week of January 2019, this information will be communicated to all the states and then we will ask them to file their reports for tax assessment and it is then, we will tell Nigerians, how many are teachers, artisans, entertainers among others.”

Elamah disclosed that on the average, about 22 per cent growth in tax revenue had been recorded in both state revenue services and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), when compared to 2017.

He added that this figure was collated as at third quarter; and by the end of last quarter, it would move to 30 per cent.

According to him, at the close of the year today, 2018 will be one of the best results ever posted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and most of the states.

He stated that with the advent of the Tax Identification Number (TIN), and Bank Verification Number (BVN), the tax authorities were currently tackling incomes of taxpayers and ensuring they paid their taxes as at when due.

He assured that the board would create more awareness in increase in voluntary compliance and also enhance the capacity of workers to be tax professionals.

Elamah also commended the Executive Chairman of FIRS and the JTB chairmanc, Babatunde Fowler, for his support in achieving the feat within a short period of time.