Reps will enact law to curb multiple taxation – Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has said that the parliament will enact laws that will effectively eliminate multiple taxation in Nigeria.

Kalu disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking at the World Bank Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project (FGIP) focus group discussion.

The deputy speaker said that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria has embarked on a path of fiscal reform.

He said this will directly address some of the most pressing issues in the tax system and overall fiscal policy, stressing that the commitment to reform is a testament to the dedication of the federal government towards achieving a more robust and equitable economic landscape.

Kalu said: “One of the paramount challenges we are currently addressing as a government, is the issue of tax multiplicity, a labyrinthine web of taxes that has placed undue burdens on both individuals and businesses.

“Simplifying and rationalising this system is imperative to alleviate the compliance burden and foster an environment conducive to economic growth.

“In parallel, we have recognised the necessity of modernising revenue collection through automation. This strategic move enhances efficiency and, equally important, reduces opportunities for corruption and revenue leakage.”

He further affirmed that the government is “in the process of streamlining the multitude of revenue-collecting agencies.”

According to him: “This streamlining initiative aims to improve coordination and, crucially, reduce duplicity in tax administration, ultimately making our system more efficient, transparent, and accountable.

“In the realm of tax legislation, which is actually one of your objectives to get the buy-in of the legislators, there are promising opportunities to introduce comprehensive reform bills that encompass a wide spectrum of objectives, including simplification, modernization, and consolidation of tax laws.

“These reforms hold the potential to bring about increased clarity and efficiency, benefiting both taxpayers and tax administrators.”