By OLAWUNMI ASHAFA

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) says it is stepping up efforts to tackle multiple taxation and other systemic challenges undermining confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the office, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this at the third-quarter Breakfast Meeting with newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

Nwabueze said the office was strengthening its mediation and complaint-resolution mechanisms to ensure taxpayers obtained timely redress from revenue authorities.

He said the office had received more than 20 genuine complaints within three months, with most involving state revenue services.

According to him, eight of the complaints have been successfully resolved within the statutory 14-day resolution period, with an additional seven days allowed where necessary.

Nwabueze said the office had also expanded its capacity to handle complex tax disputes by strengthening its team of accountants and legal experts.

He said this would enable the office to respond effectively to emerging tax issues, including possible disputes arising from digital asset taxation.

“We have expanded the capacity of our skilled accountants and legal experts to handle complex tax matters, including disputes relating to digital asset taxation, should such cases arise,” he said.

To improve access to its services, Nwabueze said the office had launched a digital complaints portal, case management system, toll-free call centre and SMS callback service.

He said the initiatives had made it easier for individuals and businesses to lodge complaints and track their resolution.

Nwabueze added that plans were underway to establish offices across the six geopolitical zones to bring the office’s services closer to taxpayers, particularly those at the grassroots.

On multiple taxation, he described the practice as an endemic challenge requiring stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, states and local governments.

“Multiple taxation is an endemic issue that we are determined to address by engaging all relevant stakeholders, including the Joint Revenue Board, state governments and local government authorities.

“Through collaboration and policy engagement, we are working towards sustainable solutions,” he said.

The Tax Ombud said the office had intensified engagements with professional bodies, the media, revenue authorities and other stakeholders as part of efforts to promote a fairer tax system.

He also announced plans for a nationwide public sensitisation campaign to educate taxpayers on their rights and available channels for seeking redress.

Nwabueze commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing an independent tax ombudsman institution, saying it would help strengthen voluntary tax compliance and build public confidence in tax administration.

He identified public awareness as one of the major challenges facing the office and urged the media to help deepen awareness of its services.

“Public awareness remains our greatest challenge.

“We urge the media and all stakeholders to help disseminate information about our services so that every Nigerian taxpayer is aware of their rights and knows where to seek redress whenever necessary,” he said.

Nwabueze reiterated that the core mandate of the Office was to provide impartial mediation and promote fairness, accountability and justice in dealings between taxpayers and revenue authorities. (NAN)