Appraisal of Federal Inland Revenue Collection System

Abstract

A tax is a compulsory levy imposed on the income or profit of an individual, partnership and corporate organizations for the financing of government expenditure without recourse to a corresponding benefit from tax payer. Assessments are raised on total profit at the rate of either 30 percent or 20 percent if it is a small company whose turnover is below ₦1million naira. Various types of assessment s are raised on the company. This could be self-assessment, government assessment, back year assessment, best of judgment (BOJ) assessment or jeopardy assessment. Collection is basic necessity to tax revenue after assessment has been raised. This research work is aimed at appraising the tax collection system in Nigeria taking Federal Inland Revenue Service as a case study. It examined the workings both at the local and state levels but focused more on the Federal Inland Revenue Services. It reviewed the old system, the reasons why a new idea muffed. The operations of the new method were also explained and clearly stated. The methodology adopted in this study is the survey research design. There were interactions with staff of Federal Inland Revenue Service of various cadres and a few tax payers and tax consultants with structured questionnaire to know their opinion. 56 questionnaires were administered out of which 35 were duly completed and returned. The findings from research work revealed that appraisal of tax collection system will bring more money to the coffer of the government and all incidents of frauds, cheque diversion and other malpractices will be curbed. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations made are that constant monitoring of the activities of the designated banks is necessary to determine their level of compliance while adequate training should be provided for collection staff to enhance their efficiency and productivity.