FIRS Deepens Stakeholder Engagement To Boost Voluntary Tax Compliance

In a continued push for voluntary tax compliance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has intensified its stakeholder engagement drive, hosting a session at the Maitama Emerging Taxpayers Office (ETO) in Abuja.

The session, which brought together officials from the FCT Emerging Taxpayer Department, Revenue Account Department, FCT Tax Practitioners Association, and the FIRS TaxPro Max team, focused on simplifying tax processes and strengthening relationships with both formal and informal sector taxpayers.

According to Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy, Collins Omokaro the engagement reflects the agency’s commitment to a customer-focused approach that emphasizes transparency, collaboration, and the use of technology to make compliance easier for individuals and businesses.

Under the leadership of Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji, PhD, the FIRS is shifting emphasis from enforcement to voluntary compliance, especially for emerging taxpayers in the informal sector who often lack awareness of their tax obligations.

“A tax system built on seamless voluntary compliance, rather than enforcement, fosters a stronger economic foundation and enhances public confidence,” Omokaro said.

The engagement also featured discussions on the FIRS 2025 Strategic Roadmap, which rests on three pillars: Capacity Building & Training, Technology Advancement, and Facility & Infrastructure Enhancement. These, the Service says, are vital for modernizing tax administration and empowering both staff and taxpayers.

The forum further highlighted the important role of tax practitioners and professional bodies in bridging knowledge gaps and simplifying compliance processes. Top-performing taxpayers were also recognized for their contributions to national revenue in 2024, in a move aimed at encouraging a culture of compliance.

FIRS officials stressed the importance of continuous dialogue with stakeholders, noting that effective feedback mechanisms are crucial to improving service delivery and tax policies.

With its technology-driven and people-centered approach, the FIRS says it remains focused on building a tax system where compliance is driven by trust and cooperation rather than enforcement.