There’s need to widen the tax net to boost revenue – Expert

Experts in the commerce industry have requested that the Federal Government widen its tax net in movement to increase its revenue and ease the burden on the nation’s economy.

The experts, established that beyond the technicalities around the assessment, rates, and computation of taxes, the government at all levels should ensure the creation of an enabling tax environment where the tax system is fair, equitable.

The President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Michael Olawale-Cole, advised the Federal Government to widen its tax net in order to increase its revenue and ease the burden on the country’s predominantly oil-based economy.

He said, “Beyond the technicalities around the assessment, rates, and computation of taxes, we urge the government at all levels to ensure the creation of an enabling tax environment where the tax system is fair, equitable, and efficient to make tax payment easy.

“At different media opportunities, the chamber has advocated for the widening of the tax net to capture more qualified taxpayers who hitherto are not paying their taxes. In addition, the World Bank’s recently published Nigeria Development Update recommended that we impose higher taxes on ‘sin’ products or luxury patronised by the rich.”

Commenting on Nigeria’s debt stock, he added that a chunk of the Federal Government revenue in 2021 was spent on debt servicing.

Olawale-Cole said, “The Federal Government spent N2.89tn on debt servicing between January and August 2021. This figure represents 74 per cent of the total revenue of N3.93tn generated by the Federal Government within the same period, a development considered to be a dangerous trend for the economy.

“On the amendment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enable government to borrow for ‘critical reforms of significant national impact’ (which are not defined), we urge caution as this may lead to abuse of definition of what is ‘significant national impact.