The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), would deploy the use of WhatsApp, a social media platform, and the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service, to enhance the less cost-effective method of payment of tax.
Dr. Zaid Abubakar, the Executive Chairman of the state revenue service agency, made this known on Wednesday during a public-private dialogue on the revenue generation drive.
The dialogue was organized by a Civil Society Organisation, Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP), in collaboration with KADIRS and supported by Christain Aid.
He noted that the WhatsApp platform, used primarily for social engagements, would ease taxpayers the stress and rigors of going to banks and other designated officers for tax payment.
He explained that in deploying the WhatsApp platform in the tax payment each payer would be provided with a reference number which is already billed in the payment system.
He also said that the USSD which allowed users without smartphones or data/internet connection to access mobile banking by the use of designed codes would make it faster and easier for the taxpayers.
He noted that the USSD-based mobile banking could be used for fund transfers, checking account balances, and generating bank statements, among others.
“We would introduce this device before the end of this quarter,” he said.
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Earlier, the State Coordinator for TJ&GP, Mr. Simeon Olatunde, said the objective of the dialogue was to strengthen relationships between the agency, Tax Justice Network, and other revenue-generating agencies.
He added that it was also to encourage stakeholders to give necessary support to tax payments and promote voluntary tax compliance.
Olatunde also said that it was to have a basic understanding of the responsibilities of civil society organizations in sensitizing taxpayers to the need to voluntarily comply with tax remittances.
He added that in comparison with previous years, the Kaduna Government improved in its revenue generation drive but had not reached the much-desired anticipated point.
He noted that when people refused to pay or evade tax as a basic responsibility, they were restricting the government from delivering corresponding social services to them.
He urged taxpayers to be committed to payment of tax, noting that it would give them the right to demand how their money was expended.
The high point of the event was a plenary session on strengthening collaboration with various revenue generation agencies and professional bodies for a fair and equitable tax system.
In attendance were the market women association, the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Association of Private School Owners, Association of Persons With Disabilities, among others.
