The Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Mohammed Bello Shehu, has said that out of 200 million Nigerians, only 40 million pay tax.
Speaking in Abuja, Shehu said that what the tax reform act and the revenue committee are set to do is to make sure that the informal sector and the informal economy contribute to the tax net.
“We are a member of that committee and we have articulated our position and meetings are going to be conveyed. We will communicate what we believe that can add value to that discussion so that at the end of it we will have a better society where more people are paying taxes and the money is being utilised for better services and to build infrastructure so that everybody can benefit” he said.
The chairman also stated that many Nigerians and businesses have not been brought under the tax net.
He wondered why somebody who has an income of about N600,000 a year can import a car of N40 million.
“You should also understand that there are some taxes that the government is not taxing Nigerians. Somebody declared an income of N600,000 a year and that same person will import a vehicle of 40 million into Nigeria. I believe the tax agency will look at all those things and collaborate with Nigerian customs.
“I have always been an advocate that if you import a brand new car, not only your name, and your date of birth, but your National Identify Number (NIN) should be identified, they should place a search and see the last time you imported a car and how much tax you paid to the government. By so doing, they will get a lot of people like that,” he added.
