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FIRS, NIBSS, Systemspecs sensitise taxpayers on e-Filing

By BusinessNews Staff on February 28, 2015

As part of efforts to create awareness on the recently introduced e-filling scheme by the federal government, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) and Systemspecs Limited, jointly organised a stakeholders’ forum on Thursday.

The conference held in Lagos was aimed at sensitising taxpayers in the country on the benefits of electronic filling and electronic tax paying channels.

In his address, the acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabiru Mashi said the e-filing was introduced in line with the federal government’s quest to simplify tax payments in the country.

He explained that the electronic filing system is a self-service system, which enables tax payers to electronically file and submit their tax returns along with accompanying documentations.

“It serves as a means of reducing time and cost of compliance for tax payers and reduces the interface between the taxpayers and tax authorities.
“It provides added convenience for tax payers who can now sit in the comfort of their homes and offices and upload their tax returns,” he said.

Continuing, the FIRS boss explained that the agency was mandated by law to access, collect and remit taxes accruable to the federal government, saying that in discharging the function, it is also empowered to employ all lawful strategies to enable it fulfil its mandate.

On her part, the Executive Director, Business Development, NIBSS, Mrs. Christabel Onyejekwe explained that the collaboration between the three organisations was to develop an e-solution, a platform that would make it easy to pay tax across every channel in Nigeria.

The scheme is to make it easy for taxpayers, wherever they are to pay tax without stress, Onyejekwe said.

“The e-filing is a simplified form of paying tax by individuals and corporates. If you go to the platforms, there are self-assessments. That enables you to assess yourself on what is outstanding and what is required to pay and how you can make your payment,” she noted.

Also, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Systemspecs Limited, Mr. John Obaro explained that prior to the introduction of the e-filing, payment of taxes which used to be done manually, was very cumbersome.

According to him, the creation of an electronic filing through the Remita platform, a payment engine has simplified tax payment.

“A number of our organisations already use Remita to pay salaries, pension funds and others. But now, they are able to make tax payments to the FIRS on the platform.

“When they do that through the platform, they don’t need to submit any document again because we are integrated at the back to the FIRS.
“With e-filing, the manual way of paying tax would be phased out gradually. There would be a period of transition ultimately,” he added.

[ThisDay]

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