The Office of the Tax Ombud has urged taxpayers and revenue authorities to build stronger trust to enhance compliance with tax laws. Dr. John Nwabueze, Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, made the call during a two-day stakeholder engagement in Kaduna. The event aimed to promote fairness, transparency, and accessible dispute resolution in tax administration. Nwabueze emphasized that strengthening confidence in the tax system requires both taxpayers and revenue authorities to understand and respect their respective rights and responsibilities.
The Tax Ombud's office was established to address operational, procedural, and administrative grievances arising from tax and revenue administration. It provides an independent and impartial platform for resolving complaints. Nwabueze explained that the office is not meant to cancel legitimate tax liabilities or encourage non-compliance but to ensure fair treatment within the law. The office offers free mediation services to resolve disputes and promote transparent, fair, and consistent tax administration.
The stakeholder engagement in Kaduna featured a roadshow that sensitized taxpayers and business owners on their rights and responsibilities. They were given opportunities to interact directly with officials and lodge complaints. The Kaduna State Government offered to host the North-West Regional Headquarters of the Tax Ombud's office. Governor Uba Sani, represented by Commissioner of Finance Hon. Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed, said the presence of the institution in Kaduna would strengthen taxpayers' confidence and promote voluntary compliance across the region.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani, stated that the state has improved its tax collection processes through technology and regular engagement with taxpayers. He emphasized that increased compliance is critical to generating revenue for development projects and social services. The state government offered to provide office accommodation and necessary support for the regional headquarters. An accessible Tax Ombud office would improve taxpayers' access to independent mechanisms for resolving grievances.
Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, represented by his Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation, Hon. Isah Mu'azu, described the establishment of the Tax Ombud as timely. The institution can strengthen taxpayer confidence by promoting fairness in tax administration and providing an alternative mechanism for resolving disputes. Sokoto State supports efforts to ensure equitable treatment in revenue collection.
The engagement brought together representatives of the seven North-West states, business owners, organized private sector groups, and professional bodies. They deliberated on taxpayers' rights and responsibilities and ways to improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency in revenue administration. The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to continuous dialogue and collaboration aimed at building a fair, transparent, and accountable tax system across the North-West and Nigeria.
Other stakeholders, including the Acting Chairman of the Kaduna Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Muhammad Lawal, and the representative of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Falalu Yahya, welcomed the initiative. They emphasized the importance of building trust in the tax system through transparent processes and providing relief to taxpayers who might otherwise face slow and costly litigation.
Key points
- The Tax Ombud's office offers free mediation services to resolve disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
- The Kaduna State Government has offered to host the North-West Regional Headquarters of the Tax Ombud's office.
- The establishment of the Tax Ombud is expected to strengthen taxpayer confidence and promote voluntary compliance across the region.
