During a courtesy visit in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo received a call from Mr. Olusegun Adesokun, the Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB).
In order to facilitate access to information on taxable income in the nation, the Federal Government has pushed for the harmonization of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Tax Identification Number (TIN).
This was said in a statement made on Monday in Abuja by Mr. Ozoya Imohimi, the ministry’s director of press and public relations, on behalf of Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
During a courtesy visit in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo received a call from Mr. Olusegun Adesokun, the Secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB).
The minister, who bemoaned the problem of tax avoidance, claimed that people would find it more difficult to evade taxes if the NIN and TIN were combined into a single number.
He also called for synergy between the critical agencies, such as the JTB and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), to enhance better achievements.
“The relationship between the JTB and NIS should be like siamese twins. If there is synergy, a lot will be achieved.
“Many expatriates today are evading tax both at state and federal levels.”
He said that the NIN should be the unique security identifier, adding that it would display tax status and all the relevant information needed.
Tunji-Ojo said that the JTB should create solutions to the harmonisation of data and identity systems, calling for the adoption and implementation of technology to help harmonise critical data.
In his remarks, Adesokan said the purpose of his visit was to seek further meaningful collaboration with the ministry on capacity building.
He added that the visit was to commence dialogue on issues relating to expatriate data and expatriate tax.
NAN