Jigawa Revenue Agency Takes Tax Compliance Campaign To Markets
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
Jigawa State Internal Revenue Service has engaged the services of Tax Justice and Governance Platform/Prime Initiative to embark on sensitisation campaign to enhance tax education and compliance in the state.
The campaign is also to strengthen trust between taxpayers and the tax authorities.
The community outreach commenced a week ago in six major markets across the state, a statement by the Executive Director, Prime Initiative for Community Development and Fiscal Transparency, Muhammad Abdu Dutse, said.
It said the campaign targeted traders, community leaders, women, youth, and other stakeholders “to increase awareness on tax education, promote compliance, and strengthen trust between taxpayers and tax authorities”.
According to the statement, the face-to-face engagement enabled exchange of views regarding businesses, welfare, and collection and remittance of revenue for the common good.
“Over 600 participants attended across the six markets, with shop-to-shop engagements ensuring broader inclusivity where 54 grievances were recorded, out of which 34 were resolved on-site within an average time of 30 minutes.
“Participants gained a deeper understanding of tax obligations, the use of taxes for development, and how to access GRM services.
“Stakeholders highlighted infrastructure needs, including better market facilities, as key to improving tax compliance.”
According to the statement, the outreach has significantly enhanced trust and transparency between the government and taxpayers, and improve understanding of tax obligations and the need for collaboration to address grievances.
“By reaching communities directly, we are laying the foundation for sustainable revenue generation and improved public service delivery in Jigawa state.”
The markets so far visited are Hadejia, Gujungu, Sara, Maigatari and Shuwarin.
It said traders and market leaders who spoke called for a ‘tax-for-service’ approach by the government to gain trust of taxpayers, enhance accountability and improve compliance.
They also urged the government to introduce policies that address citizens’ immediate needs so as to encourage people to voluntarily pay their taxes.
