The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, on Tuesday allayed fears of the possible introduction of new taxes through the proposed tax reform laws.
Adedeji who made this known when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Finance, assured Nigerians that the tax reform laws would not entail the introduction of new taxes or increase of already existing ones.
At the interactive session aimed at briefing the committee on the plans of the FIRS in implementing tax reforms, Adedeji noted that the reforms essentially seek to increase the simplicity, efficiency of tax administration and obliterate the multiplicity of taxes, without the intention of merging any agency.
Some lawmakers, however, openly expressed their misgivings about the bills.
The FIRS boss stated that the present name of the agency does not cover the scope of its services, like the Value Added Tax (VAT), 85 per cent of which according to him goes to the states and 15 per cent to the Federal Government.
He explained that the reforms will drive efficiency and modernization, simplify tax laws, ensure synergy among agencies involved, increase efficiency and effectiveness in government savings, promote transparency and integrity in revenue collection and broaden Nigeria’s tax base.
The Senate hopes to convene another meeting with the service before a scheduled public hearing on the matter.
