By CHARLES IWUOHA

Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Taxation Of Nigeria (CITN), Abakaliki District, Dr Justina Nnachi, has stressed the need to address the issues of multiple taxation on taxpayers amidst hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Nnachi stated this on Monday in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, during her 2023 enlightenment week programme to educate the people about their rights and responsibilities regarding taxes.

She stated that it has become necessary to enlighten the tax payers on the benefits of paying their taxes, noting the effort of the Institute in harmonizing the issues of multiple taxation.

The Federal Government has promised us better things and we are hopeful, and we know if things are better, people will pay their taxes. Taxes are paid from income earned. If people earn their income under conducive and friendly government policies and environment, they will happily pay their taxes.

To a large extend we are working assiduously to curb the issues of multiple taxations. Taxes should be streamlined so that the taxpayers don't feel the burden of paying one tax various times, the Ebonyi CITN boss said.

She commended the effects of the ongoing enlightenment campaign and the compliance of taxpayers that have generated over N5.5 Trillion for the FIRS.

The enlightenment is ongoing and I believe people are waking up to their responsibilities.So far, the FIRS has collected over N5.5 trillion during the first quarter, meaning the taxpayers are complying in their responsibilities, she added.

On his part, the immediate past Chairman of CITN Abakaliki District, Barr. George Ukpai, said the institute was currently grappling with the issues of multiple taxation.

Ukpai, who doubled as CITN South-East Chairman, noted that the Federal Government has set up a committee to harmonize taxes paid by investors as well as well other classes of taxpayers.

Presently we have not less than 52 different types of taxes being collected in the country and it is expected that it would be harmonised to about 10.

Why it is necessary is that it would help improve investment climate, make investment environment smooth and friendly to investors. Yes we agree that the essence of taxation is to generate revenue to support the government, but you do not tax businesses out of existence, Ukpai said.

He emphasised that taxes should be duly regulated to enable the taxpayers to achieve voluntary compliance devoid of brigandage and violence.

He called for a fiscal policy review that would cushion the effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy and grant targeted tax incentives to the tax paying public.

Speaking at event, Mr Joseph Ugbor, a former Chairman of the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue Board, said there was need for appropriate tax education to enable taxpayers to know the impact of their tax money in the society.