See Tax Payment As Civic Duty, Not Punishment, FIRS Tells Nigerians

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has appealed to Nigerians to stop seeing tax payment as a burden or punishment, describing tax compliance as a civic duty and a key driver of national development.

Speaking at a one-day sensitisation workshop on ‘The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance’ in Kaduna, the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, said that many citizens still misunderstood the essence of taxation.

The FIRS chairman, who was represented by his Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said: “One thing keeps happening, many people do not always see taxes as civic duty. For some, paying taxes feels like a burden or a punishment. For others, it is seen as something to avoid.”

“Beyond enforcement and penalties, what we need is a culture of voluntary compliance where citizens willingly fulfil their civic duty because they understand the benefits,” he added.

He explained that taxes fund hospitals, roads, social services and other public goods, adding that no country can grow effectively without taxation.

Adedeji, therefore, emphasised the media’s role in reshaping public perception about taxation, combating misinformation and promoting voluntary compliance by citizens.

“When journalists simplify complex tax laws and explain procedures in clear language, they empower citizens with knowledge. An informed citizen is more confident, and a confident citizen is more likely to comply,” he explained.

He noted that the FIRS had already reduced VAT rate on several essential goods, including medicines and housing, to ease the tax burden on ordinary Nigerians, but fake news and misinformation continued to distort public understanding.

He urged journalists to act as educators, watchdogs and influencers to help Nigerians appreciate the benefits of paying taxes voluntarily, adding that the FIRS’ Communication Department cannot do the job alone.

Also, Aisha Larai Wushishi, the State Administrator for Benue, Kaduna and Plateau States, tasked journalists on tax education.

Presenting a paper titled ‘Voluntary Tax Compliance: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria’, Dr. Mohammed Adamu said taxation remains the most reliable source of revenue for any government and should be embraced by citizens as a civic responsibility.

Adamu identified fairness in tax administration, taxpayer education, transparency, and accountability as key drivers of compliance.

In another presentation, Senior Manager, Tax, Kaduna Government Business Office, Ishaku Ankuma, highlighted registration, proper record-keeping, timely filing of returns, prompt payment and remittance of withholding taxes as essential elements.

Ankuma warned that failure to comply attracts heavy fines, interest, possible criminal charges and reputational damage. He noted that tax compliance certificates are now prerequisites for many financial transactions.