Committee Suggests New Law to Disqualify Candidates Who Don’t Pay Taxes
…FG Plans National Tax Forgiveness Programme
By Patience Ikpeme
Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who leads the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, has disclosed that a constitutional amendment bill has been sent to the National Assembly that will require people running for public office to show they have been paying their taxes properly.
Oyedele spoke at the 2024 Joint Tax Board (JTB) Staff Strategic Retreat in Abuja. He explained that just having a tax clearance certificate isn’t enough; they want to check if candidates are really following the tax rules before they can run for important positions like senator, governor, or president.
Mr. Oyedele pointed out that in past elections, they couldn’t enforce these rules because they weren’t written into the Constitution. Now, they’re working to change that.
He also talked about a plan for a national tax forgiveness programme coming later this year, called the Voluntary Disclosure or Declaration Program. This programme will involve all tax authorities – federal, state, and local governments.
Looking back at a previous tax forgiveness effort called VAIDS, Mr. Oyedele said it could have been more successful if everyone involved had worked together better. He stressed the need for collaboration to make future tax reforms work.
Mr. Oyedele mentioned upcoming changes to how taxes are managed, aiming to expand the Joint Tax Board’s role beyond just personal income taxes.
After Mr. Oyedele’s speech, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, Secretary of the JTB, emphasized the need for staff to embrace teamwork and new ideas to adapt to changing tax laws.
The 2024 JTB Staff Strategic Retreat is focused on improving Nigeria’s tax system, with proposals for fairer election rules and important tax initiatives.
To keep up with the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee’s work, Mr. Oyedele suggested following them on social media.
