FIRS Unveils Revised Operating Procedure To Harmonise Tax Payment

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has unveiled its revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), describing it as a critical step toward delivering consistent, transparent, and citizen-focused tax services across the country.

Special Adviser on communications and advocacy to FIRS chairman, Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a “vital link” in FIRS’ broader transformation agenda aimed at unifying taxpayer experience in all its over 300 offices nationwide.

“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step toward a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.

He noted that for many years, FIRS field offices operated with good intentions but often used differing methods, which sometimes led to confusion among taxpayers.

The revised SOP, he said, offers a single roadmap for key processes such as registration, payment, audit, and enforcement.

Describing the SOP as more than just a procedural manual, he emphasized that it reflects the values of accountability and service excellence championed by the executive chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji.

“This SOP is not just a technical document—it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service,” Dr. Adedeji was quoted as saying. “It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people.”

Omokaro added that the revised SOP aligns with the ongoing digital transformation within FIRS, ensuring that both human and technological systems work in harmony to deliver faster, more reliable, and taxpayer-friendly services.

Beyond improving public-facing services, the SOP is also expected to enhance internal efficiency and staff confidence, by providing clear guidance and promoting better training and evaluation systems.

“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro said.

The SOP reform, he concluded, is part of a larger effort to reposition FIRS as a truly service-driven institution—defined by clarity, consistency, and shared commitment to national growth.