FIRS orders banks to close all unauthorised tax collection accounts
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a directive to all banks to immediately identify and close any tax and levy collection accounts that are not authorized under its TaxPro Max system, Effective immediately.
The directive aims to eliminate unauthorized accounts that might cause discrepancies or inefficiencies in tax collection and reconciliation.
This was disclosed in A public announcement endorsed by FIRS chairman Zacch Adedeji and shared with journalists stating that the move is part of ongoing initiatives to enhance the efficiency and transparency of tax collection, while also ensuring consistency and smooth reconciliation of tax payments
This move aims to centralize and streamline tax collection processes across Nigeria. “Effective immediately, all tax and levy collections on behalf of FIRS must be processed exclusively pursuant to an assessment raised on the TaxPro Max platform,”
TaxPro Max is a homegrown digital tax administration platform designed to facilitate various tax-related activities such as registration, filing, payment, and issuance of tax clearance certificates. It offers taxpayers a user-friendly, do-it-yourself process that can be completed from the comfort of their homes or offices, eliminating the need for physical visits to FIRS offices or intermediaries.
Banks are therefore urged to comply to avoid being delisted from the scheme “All banks participating in the FIRS Collection, Remittance and Reconciliation Scheme are hereby advised to comply with this directive within the stipulated period”.
The directive is part of FIRS’s broader efforts to enhance transparency, improve efficiency in tax collection, and ensure uniformity and seamless reconciliation of tax payments. “We count on your cooperation to ensure a smooth transition to this centralized system, thereby contributing to a more transparent and efficient tax collection process,” the notice added.
TaxPro Max also integrates robust e-payment options, allowing taxpayers to pay through various channels such as online platforms, debit cards, and payment gateways like Remita and InterSwitch. It supports installment payments and generates electronic receipts that are automatically emailed to taxpayers, complete with QR codes for verification.
The FIRS has urged taxpayers and stakeholders to contact its Revenue Accounting and Refund Department (RAAD) for any clarifications or support regarding the directive. This engagement reflects the agency’s commitment to assist taxpayers during the transition to the centralized system.
This move aligns with FIRS’s ongoing modernization initiatives, which have seen the TaxPro Max platform become the official channel for filing Naira-denominated tax returns since June 2021. The platform has helped FIRS achieve significant revenue collection milestones by simplifying compliance and reducing revenue leakages.
Under the leadership of Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the introduction of TaxPro Max and related reforms signify a strong commitment to sustainable revenue generation and economic stability in Nigeria. The system’s streamlined processes are expected to stimulate economic growth by improving the ease of doing business and fostering transparency.
The directive to close unauthorized accounts ensures that all tax collections are properly accounted for and reconciled through a single, integrated platform, reducing opportunities for fraud and enhancing taxpayer confidence in the system. This centralization is a critical step toward modernizing Nigeria’s tax administration.
