Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), have identified absence of robust medium term revenue strategy (MTRS), as major hindrance to tax collection in the state.
Director Planning, Research and Statistics of the service , Alhaji Garba Yusuf Abubakar made the indication during a sensitization session with MTRS, TWG and PWDs on the new tax policy and MTRS communication strategy, supported by PERL (ECP), in Kano.
According to him, Kano state government was committed to improving voluntary tax compliance, which resulted in the introduction of various tax reform initiatives by successive governments, which has not yielded positive results.
The director stressed that, during the 2022 medium term revenue strategy retreat, a committee was established to develop a zero draft tax policy, communication strategy and training plan to improve tax compliance and reduce over dependence on federal transfers.
Alhaji Garba said the twenty member committee is headed by KIRS chairman Alhaji Abdulrazak Bello Salihu, while the special adviser to Kano state governor Alhaji Habibu Sale serves as co-chair.
He explained that, if implemented MTRS would go a long way in improving internally generated revenue mobilization, and better coordination among revenue generating ministries and departments.
In his presentation titled ‘Tax clinic concept and strategy, a lecturer with the department of Economics, Sa’adatu Rimi college of education Kano, who doubles as
executive director FIDAC, Dr. Abdulsalam Kani and a member of MTRS committee, highlighted that according to the Addis tax initiative, every year more than $500 billion dollars is lost globally due to tax avoidance.
He said over $200 billion of this was from developing countries including Nigeria, noting that tax payers inadequate knowledge about why tax is levied and its compliance procedure is the major catalyst to the avoidable huge loss.
Presenting a paper tagged ‘ The rudiments of the Kano tax policy and the expected citizens roles, Comrade Akibu Hamisu of Kano budget working group added that, the new kano tax policy would protect tax payers from unfair tax, and serve as a reference point to all stakeholders among others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state partnership facilitator of PERL (ECP), Alhaji Yunusa Hamza maintained that, the objectives of the session is to enhance the understanding of trade unions and tax paying constituents, on the new kano state tax policy as well as improve advocacy for improved accountability, and transparency in tax administration.
While charging participants to make judicious use of the knowledge gained, he reaffirmed PERL(ECP) dedication in promoting good governance and accountability.
Radio Nigeria reports that, Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn is a governance programme funded by the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office. (FCDO).
KHADIJAH ALIYU