By Some stakeholders have opposed the four tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly, raising concerns over their impact on state and local tax authorities.
The Nigeria Tax, Nigeria Tax Administration, Nigeria Revenue Service, and Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bills, 2024, faced criticism during a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance in Abuja on Wednesday.
Kano State government strongly challenged the constitutionality of certain provisions, arguing that they grant excessive powers to the federal government at the expense of state and local tax agencies.
Speaking on behalf of the state, Umar Mohammed Jalo, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, urged lawmakers to remove sections that give the tax reform bills constitutional supremacy over existing laws.
Stakeholders expressed concerns that the proposed changes could centralize tax administration, potentially undermining the financial autonomy of states and local governments.
The debate over the bills is expected to continue as lawmakers weigh the concerns raised by various interest groups before making a final decision.
