Federal Gov’t Plans Name Change For FIRS, To Set Up Tax Tribunal

President Bola Tinubu has transmitted four Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Bills to the National Assembly for accelerated consideration and passage into law.

One of the Bills, tagged Economic Stabilisation Bills, seeks the repeal of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act and enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act in its place while the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill is intending to create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman for the country.

Others are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Tinubu conveyed Bills via a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives , Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, which was read on the floor of the House at plenary on Thursday.

Tinubu stated that the four Bills will help actualise government’s desire for a proper tax and financial regime for Nigeria, and expressed confidence at the usual cooperation of the House of Representatives on such critical matters.

“The proposed tax bills present substantial benefits that align with my government’s objectives and fiscal reform on the economic growth by enhancing taxpayer compliance, strengthening our fiscal institutions and fostering a more effective and transparent fiscal regime,” he said.

The president had in his Independence Day national broadcast said: “To stimulate our productive capacity and create more jobs and prosperity, the Federal Executive Council approved the Economic Stabilisation Bills, which will now be transmitted to the National Assembly.

“These transformative bills will make our business environment more friendly, stimulate investment and reduce the tax burden on businesses and workers once they are passed into law.”