Tax Ombud gets 20 complaints in three months, mostly over state taxes

The Nigeria Office of the Tax Ombud, established by President Tinubu's administration, has received 20 genuine complaints from taxpayers in the past three months, with most cases involving state revenue services. The office, which has been operational for eight months, is encouraging Nigerians to resolve tax matters for free through its services instead of pursuing legal action, which incurs additional costs.

Dr. John Nwabueze, CEO of the Office of the Tax Ombud, disclosed this information during the organization's third quarter breakfast meeting with business editors in Lagos. Nwabueze attributes the low number of complaints to a lack of awareness about the organization and is now focusing on increasing public engagement to raise awareness.

The office has introduced various channels for taxpayers to seek redress, including a digital complaints portal, case management system, toll-free call center, and SMS callback services. The office is also preparing to handle more complex tax disputes, such as those arising from the taxation of digital assets. Nwabueze emphasized that the office's expanded technical capacity, including additional accountants and legal experts, will enable it to provide impartial mediation for taxpayers who believe they have been unfairly treated by revenue authorities.

As Nigeria's tax framework expands to include digital assets and other emerging economic activities, the Tax Ombud may face increased challenges in the coming months. The office is actively engaging with various stakeholders, including the Joint Revenue Board, state governments, and local authorities, to develop sustainable solutions to recurring taxation issues at the state and local government levels.