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The Joint Tax Board (JTB) is to start the electronic
registration of tax payers through a project tagged, ‘Unique Tax Payer
Administration Number Project.’
The secretary of the board, Lawal Abubakar, disclosed this in
Bauchi State, when he led members of the committee on a courtesy call on the
Emir of Bauchi, Rilwan Suleiman Adamu, in his palace.
He said that the visit was to solicit for the traditional
ruler’s support in enlightening the people on the need to pay their taxes.
Mr. Abubakar said that the responsibility of the board was to
advice government on tax administration as well as how to generate more revenue
for the three tiers of government, adding that it would also provide a
comprehensive data base for all eligible tax payers.
“The purpose of the project is to ensure that each and every
taxable individual is captured through electronic system. Their names, places
of residence, and their 10 finger prints must be captured for easy
identification,” he said.
Consultants
Mr. Abubakar revealed that consultants were also involved in the
project, all aimed at providing equipment towards efficient data capturing
system.
“Our consultant is to provide services in terms of provision of
equipment that will allow modern way of capturing data as far as the tax payer
is concerned. The state, in conjunction with federal government agencies such
as states Board of Internal Revenues, Federal Inland Revenue Services, National
Bureau of Statistics, National Population, Federal Road Safety Commissions, as
well as the EFCC, among others, would serve as members of the steering
committee,” he said.
He further explained that one state in each geo-political zone
of the country would serve as a pilot to the exercise. The states are Bauchi,
Jigawa, Kwara, Delta, Abia, and Oyo. He said other states would follow
subsequently as the selection was based on counterpart funding, of which Bauchi
is the first to fulfill this requirement in the zone.
In his response, Bauchi’s traditional ruler commended the team
for its effort in reviving the tax system in the country. He said that tax
collection would generate more revenue, thereby bringing economic development.
He assured the team of his maximum support in getting the
cooperation of the people. “I know there are challenges when it comes to paying
of tax because when you mention tax to the people, it makes them feel as if you
want to collect all the little they are earning,” he said.
