Issues and Challenges Inherent in the Nigerian Tax System

Abstract

The study examined the issues and challenges inherent in the Nigerian tax system. The theoretical framework approach was adopted in this study. The Nigerian tax system is designed as a means of income generation. The three tiers of government have the responsibility of tax administration in Nigeria. Nigeria tax system is confronted with many issues and challenges such as multiplicity of taxes, bad administration, non-availability of database, tax touting, complex nature of the Nigerian tax laws, minimum tax, commencement, change of accounting date and cessation, and non-payment of tax refunds. The way forward includes streamlining collection mechanism, ensuring good, effective and efficient tax administration, introduction of tax technology, tax awareness and communication, simplifying the tax laws and abolishing some, refund of taxes overpaid, independent of tax authorities (boards of internal revenue), addressing the issue of corruption among tax officials, strengthening of tax audit, establishing special courts to handle tax issues, and stiffer penalty for tax evasion and other tax offences.