From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), has said that it would deploy WhatsApp, a social media platform and the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service for enhanced and less cost effective method of payment of tax in the state.
Dr. Zaid Abubakar, the Executive Chairman of KADIRS, said this yesterday at a Kaduna State public-private dialogue on revenue generation.
The dialogue was organised by a CSO, Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP) in collaboration with KADIRS and supported by Christian Aid.
Abubakar noted that the WhatsApp platform, used primarily for social engagements, would ease taxpayers the stress and cost of going to banks and other designates for their tax payment.
He also said that the USSD which allows users without smartphones or data/internet connection to use mobile banking through the use of designed codes, would also make it faster and easier for taxpayers.
He noted that the USSD based mobile banking can be used for fund transfers, checking account balance, generating bank statements, among other uses which the KADIRS would introduce before the end of the quarter for tax payment to the state.
Abubakar explained that using the WhatsApp platform in tax payment, one must have a reference number which is already a bill in the KADIRS payment system.
Earlier, the State Coordinator for TJ&GP, Mr. Simeon Olatunde, said the objective of the dialogue was to strengthen relationships amongst KADIRS, Tax Justice Network and other revenue- generating agencies to collectively engage the state taxpayers and win their trust through transparency, fairness and easy tax processes with value for their money in return.
He added that it was also to encourage stakeholders give necessary support to taxpayers and promote voluntary tax compliance.
Olatunde also said that it was to have a basic understanding of the responsibilities of civil society organisations in sensitising taxpayers of the need to voluntarily comply with tax remittances.
He further said that in comparison with previous years, the Kaduna government has improved in its revenue generation, however no reaching an excellent point.
The coordinator noted that when the people do not pay taxes which is legal for them to pay, they are also restricting the government from delivering corresponding services to them.
He urged tax payers to be voluntary about their payment of tax, noting that it would give them the right to demand for how their money is spent.
