Rep lobbies colleagues to support Tinubu’s tax reform bills

The Deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said he is rallying his colleagues to support President Bola Tinubu’s Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly.

While calling on state governors to have a rethink and support the Federal Government, the lawmaker explained that the new tax bills when passed into law would stimulate the economy and ensure a smooth take-off of a new tax administration devoid of multiple taxation.

Agbese added that those who are afraid of the provisions of the bills were doing so because they fear accountability and transparency.

Recall that the President in September transmitted four tax reform bills to the National Assembly for consideration, following the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reforms headed by Taiwo Oyedele for the review of existing tax laws.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.

The executive bills have, however, not gained the support of state governors who called for their withdrawal a fortnight ago to allow for more consultation; a proposal rejected by President Tinubu.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, Agbese, said he is convinced the reform bills will stimulate the economy if passed into law and implemented.

He lamented that across the sectors of the economy, there are complaints of over-taxation while a significant number of people doing business are not remitting taxes to the government.

He said, “I am one of the strongest advocates of President Tinubu’s tax bills because I am a reformer and believe in changes that would better the country. I have studied the document and I’m convinced beyond every reasonable doubt that it will no doubt, help to improve the economy of the nation.”

Agbese said if implemented, the proposals “Will not only benefit Benue State where I come from, it will also benefit everyone that generates taxes and does so dutifully.

“Those who are afraid are doing so because they fear accountability and transparency. These bills will bring about consciousness to tax-payers and once people become conscious of what they pay to the government and what the government earns; they can be assured that there will be a higher demand for accountability.”