The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has transitioned from traditional enforcement measures to a more proactive approach in its interactions with taxpayers.
This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman of the FIRS Dr Zacch Adedeji at the recently concluded 2025 Emerging Taxpayers’ Group (ETG) Tax Clinic.
At the Clinic, the Service rolled out a series of practical engagements designed to help taxpayers better understand their obligations and navigate tax administration with ease.
The tax clinic, which was convened under the theme “Tax Clinic for Tax Clarity,” attracted participants from the informal sector, small business owners and emerging enterprises.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, explained that the Service is deliberately shifting focus from enforcement-driven compliance to proactive taxpayer engagement.
“When citizens clearly grasp their tax obligations, rights, and the value of their contributions to national development, compliance is no longer a burden, it becomes a civic responsibility,” he said.
According to Dr. Adedeji, the tax clinic forms part of a wider reform agenda by FIRS, which leverages digital solutions like the TaxPro-Max platform and taxpayer segmentation strategies to build a revenue system that centres on people’s needs and realities.
A notable element of the event was the Interactive Support Desks, where taxpayers received immediate guidance from various FIRS departments and partner agencies. Among these were the FIRS Taxpayer Service, TaxPro-Max technical support, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
Through these desks, participants were able to resolve filing issues, receive help navigating compliance platforms, and complete registrations for National Identification Numbers required for tax processes.
Attendees participated in a series of expert-led sessions and panel discussions that addressed practical challenges in tax administration. Topics ranged from tackling common myths that discourage compliance, to adopting sound record-keeping practices, and resolving disputes effectively.
The sessions featured industry leaders and tax professionals including Segun Kadiri, Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria; Azeez Alatoye of Ascension Professional Services; and Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN. Professor Owasanoye spoke extensively on legal frameworks for resolving tax disputes and the importance of fostering trust between taxpayers and tax authorities.
Dr. Adedeji encouraged participants to fully take advantage of the resources provided during the clinic. “Your active involvement is vital not only to your own success but to the progress of our nation,” he noted.
A statement from the FIRS noted that with initiatives like the ETG Tax Clinic, FIRS aims to reduce the complexity traditionally associated with tax compliance, while building a culture where paying taxes is seen as part of responsible citizenship.
The Service also pledged its commitment to maintaining dialogue with taxpayers and continuously refining its systems to suit evolving business realities.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
