Appraisal Of Income Tax Collection And Administration
(a case study of board of internal revenue (B.I.R) enugu)
Income tax collection and administration encompass a diverse array of processes and mechanisms employed by government authorities to gather revenue from individuals and entities while ensuring compliance with tax laws. This multifaceted system involves various stages, including tax assessment, filing, payment, and enforcement. Tax collection agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the United States, employ sophisticated methods like electronic filing systems and data analytics to streamline the process and detect discrepancies. Additionally, tax administrations often play a crucial role in providing guidance and support to taxpayers, offering resources and assistance to facilitate compliance. Moreover, effective tax administration requires a balance between enforcement measures and taxpayer rights, fostering trust and cooperation within the taxpaying community. Through efficient collection and administration, governments can secure vital funds for public services and initiatives while promoting fairness and transparency in the tax system.
This project work deals with “Appraisal of Income Tax Collection and Administration in Nigeria. A case study of Board of Internal Revenue Enugu. It explains the income tax collections as a vital tool of macro-economic management of our society. I have come to acknowledge that taxation is a patent fiscal full of economic adjustment. Most important of all, it is looked upon to generate the revenue needed to help us tide our current economic crises. It is against this background that the research took up by choice, our society of tax administration in Enugu Board of internal revenue.
The purpose of this study is to study how well it is meeting the expectation about increased revenue generation. The researcher many problems in income / tax collection and administration board of interval revenue Enugu. Some of them are:
(1) Data collected revealed that the firms used by the Board of Internal Revenue to collect income do not make revenue generation easier.
(2) The Board used unqualified personnel for income tax collection and they do not render correct account of the amount of revenue collected to the Board of Internal Revenue Enugu.
(3) It was also discovered that the other categories of revenue agents and revenue clerks are more efficient and honest in the income tax collection and exercise and the money collected by all revenue collectors are remitted on time to the Board of Internal Revenue Enugu.
The recommendations are :
(1) Members of staff who engaged in sensitive assignments such as tax investigation and tax assessment should be adequately remunerated and be provided with the assurance given at government expense.
(2) Setting up dependable and highly reliable tax administration machinery which will ensure operation efficiency hard work and loyalty amongst the personnel of the service.
Setting up a good computerized information and storage network to enable information to be processed promptly and accurately. This will also reduce evasion and avoidance tax.
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
List of tables
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of problems
1.3 Research Questions / Hypothesis
1.4 Hypothesis
1.5 Purpose of the study
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope of the study
CHAPTER TWO
Review of literatures
2.1 Fundamental concept of Nigeria Taxation
2.1.1 History of Nigeria Taxation
2.1.2 Laws governing Income tax in Nigeria
2.1.3 Importance of Taxation
2.1.4 Categories of Taxes
2.2 Basis of tax Imposition (major provisions)
2.2.1 A review of major assessment provision
2.2.2 Relevant tax authorities
2.3 Problems of tax collection
2.3.1 In adequate qualified man power, poor motivation
and corruption
2.3.2 Poor attitude to tax generation and usage
2.3.3 Lack of management audit and unrealistic budgeting
CHAPTER THREE
Research methodology
3.1 Design of the study
3.2 Area of the study
3.3 Population
3.4 Sample size
3.5 Sampling techniques
3.6 Instrument of data collection
3.7 Validity and reliability of instrument
3.8 Techniques for data analysis
CHAPTER FOUR
Data presentation and Analysis
CHAPTER FIVE
5.1 Discussion of the study
5.2 Summary of findings
5.3 Implication of the research
5.4 Limitation of the study
5.5 Suggestion for further study
5.6 Conclusion
5.7 Recommendation
Bibliography
Questionnaire
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Tax is an important factor in economic planning and development of a nation and I is an important agent of social change, (Ola 1985:109). Tax according to Agysi (1983:174) the transfer of resources from private sector to the public sector in order to accomplish some of the nations economic and social goals. Furthermore, tax is a compulsory levy imposed on the payer by a legal authority or recipient public authority. Throughout the history of mankind, the right to raise tax has been one of the principal features of political authority.
Tax is an instrument of fiscal policy, which plays a leading role in every organized society irrespective of the political or constitutional structure. Once a society becomes stabilized, civilized or law abiding the function of government becomes enormous resulting in heavy expenditure and necessitating tax payment by its subjects.
For a developing country like Nigeria, the primary economic goal is to increase the rate of economic growth and hence the per capital income which will lead to higher standard of living
Three main method of financing economic expenditure in most developing economics include taxes and other current receipts such as the profit of public enterprises, loans and grants. Of these sources, tax is perhaps the most important since the level of government expenditure is to a great extent dependent on the ability of the tax system to place the required revenue at the disposal of government. Hence, Samuelson (1980:92) wrote that “in deciding to tax people, the people are really deciding how resources needed for social wants shall be taken from all various families and from the enterprises they own and made available for the provision of social goals and services”.
Again since market system proves inadequate for ensuring stable price and steady growth, tax has to be used to bring about employment, stable price and steady growth. In addition, tax is meant to ensure, at times, a transfer of resources from the hand of the private to public or government for investment, modification of patterns of investment and mitigating economic inequalities.
Allas, these aims are far from being achieved in Nigerian society. The tax system is failing in almost all the above respect. Therefore, there must be crucial problems militating against efficient and effective tax administration in Nigeria.
There have been discussions on the problems posed by the dwindling fortune in the oil economy. This problem is acute because of the undue reliance on federal government for the bulk of the operating revenue in the state. All the states of the federation are now required to intensify effort toward the internally generated revenue to make up allocation from the federation account. Unfortunately the problem engendered in the internally generated revenue is more acute in newly created states. Before being carved out, these states were doing fairly well with what they collected within their confines.
In Enugu state, the problem of inefficient tax collection is highly pronounced. Due to lack of fund the state been unable to fulfill its obligations to the citizenry. The present emphasis on rural development has subdued the state with the problems of socio-economic development of the rural communities. Beside political duties, it is expected to provide good roads, health services, primary and secondary education, good environmental sanitation among others, to her people. As a result of the government inability to meet with its obligations the people have resorted to self help projects in most communities.
Observation has shown that the number of self help projects in most communities outnumbers the government projects therein. These failures are attributed to the numerous problems militating against efficient tax collection in the state as shown by this project.
Inspite of the broad nature of taxes, the tax payers are usually on the look out for loopholes which they could exploit and less tax to the government. Besides the corrupt tax officials, evidence abound that there is high incidence of tax avoidance (refusing to pay tax entirely) and evasion (act by which the amount of tax payable is dishonestly reduced) in Enugu state.
As a result of the role and importance of tax as an instrument of fiscal policy, the vital sources of government revenue, taxation becomes an important area of study. But because of the failure of taxation to effectively collate resources, secure equitable income distribution and properly regulate the econo-colateral function of a good tax system and above all provide the government with the much needed revenue to meet its various obligations, it is strongly convinced that there must be some crucial problems militating against effective and efficient tax administration in Enugu state and Nigeria as a whole. Hence a study of problems of tax administration and collection with particular reference to Enugu state is hereby being undertaken to x-ray with a view of finding these problems, their degree of impediment, the likely prospect and proffering recommendations of actions that will ensure effective and efficient tax administration and collection mechanism in Enugu state in particular and Nigeria in general.
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
There have been a heart provoking outcry by various state government in Nigeria over their poor financial base. The situation is becoming even more compounded by the obvious dwindling feature of our oil economy. Moreover, inspite of the broadness and the comprehensive nature of our tax system, tax avoidance and evasion are on the increase. This ugly development has placed most state government in a situation where they can not cope with their civic responsibilities to their citizen, hence a compelling need to put an end to this unwholesome circumstances through proper problem identification;
(1) It has been a problem to understand the extent to which resources, human / material are adequate for the management of Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue. (ESBIR).
(2) The extent to which the objectives of the organizations are being achieved.
(3) Also, it is a problem to determine the relationship between the ignorance of tax benefits and the unwillingness of tax payers to pay their taxes and so fulfill their civic obligation.
(4) It is difficult to ascertain the extent to which ESBIR has realized its targets on priority areas of personal income tax administration.
1.3 RESEARCH QUESTION / HYPOTHESIS
Below are research questions to which the study would be based.
(1) To what extent is the resources (human / material) adequate for the management of ESBIR (Enugu state board of internal revenue)?
(2) To what extent have the objectives of the organization been achieved in recent past?
(3) What is the relationship between the ignorance of tax benefits and the unwillingness of tax payers to fulfill their tax obligation?
(4) To what extent has the board realized its targets on priority areas of personal income tax administration.
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
There will be no significant difference at 0.05 between the perception of senior and junior staff with regard to assure adequacy
There is no significant relationship between proper staff training scheme and objective assessment and collection of personal Income tax. There is no significant relationship between adequate public enlightment campaign on tax policies and tax payer’s benefit or knowledge on tax benefit
There is no significant difference at 0.05 between the perception of junior and senior staff regarding the attainment of target in priority areas of tax revenue administration.
1.5 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.
(1) To ascertain the extent to which the resources (human / material) are adequate for the management of the organization (ESBIR).
(2) To find out the extent to which the objectives of the organization (ESBIR) are being achieved in recent years.
(3) To determine the relationship between Ignorance of tax benefits and the unwillingness of tax payers to fulfill their tax obligation.
(4) To evaluate the ethical validity and the basis of personal Income tax assessment and collection in Enugu state
1.6 SIGNIFICANT OF THE STUDY.
This research work is being undertaken to identify the problems hindering personal income tax administration and collection in Enugu state. It is my hope that this study will help to correct the deficiency in the personal income tax generation machinery in Enugu state.
Again, there is practically no detailed study devoted to the problems of personal income tax collection in recent years. Therefore, the study will adequately fill up the gap. Thus, a research work that focuses on this topic is timely and very necessary in providing lasting solution to the incessant and unhealthy problem of waste of revenue through ineffective personal income tax administration and collection in Enugu state.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY.
The topic of this thesis is “The problems of personal Income Tax Administration and collection in Nigeria with particular reference to Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue”.
The main objectives of the study are
• To find out the extent to which the resources of the organization are adequate for its management
• To ascertain the extent to which the objectives of the organization are being achieved.
• To determine the relationship between Ignorance of tax payers and the unwillingness to fulfill their tax obligation
Finally, to evaluate the ethical validity and basis of assessment of collection of personal Income tax in Enugu State.
Appraisal Of Income Tax Collection And Administration:
Appraisal of income tax collection and administration involves evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and fairness of a country’s system for collecting and managing income tax revenue. This is a critical aspect of government finance, as income tax is a significant source of revenue for most countries. Here are some key points to consider in such an appraisal:
- Revenue Collection Efficiency:
- Collection Rates: Evaluate the percentage of taxes owed that are actually collected. A higher collection rate suggests effective enforcement mechanisms.
- Cost of Collection: Assess the cost incurred by the government to collect income tax revenue. Lower costs indicate efficiency.
- Taxpayer Compliance:
- Voluntary Compliance: Analyze the level of voluntary tax compliance among citizens and businesses. High voluntary compliance reduces the need for enforcement actions.
- Enforcement Actions: Review the effectiveness of enforcement measures, such as audits, penalties, and legal actions, in ensuring compliance.
- Fairness and Equity:
- Progressivity: Examine the progressivity of the income tax system to ensure that higher-income individuals pay a proportionally larger share of their income in taxes.
- Tax Avoidance and Evasion: Assess the effectiveness of measures to curb tax avoidance and evasion, which can erode tax revenues and fairness.
- Administrative Efficiency:
- Processing Time: Evaluate the speed and efficiency of tax return processing and refunds.
- Digitalization: Consider the extent to which the tax administration has adopted digital technologies to streamline processes and reduce administrative burdens.
- Transparency and Accountability:
- Public Reporting: Review whether tax authorities provide clear and accessible information to taxpayers about their obligations and rights.
- Auditing and Oversight: Evaluate the effectiveness of oversight bodies and auditing mechanisms to prevent corruption and abuse within the tax administration.
- Cost-Benefit Analysis:
- Assess the economic impact of income tax collection and administration on the overall economy. Determine whether the benefits of collecting income tax revenue outweigh the administrative costs.
- Taxpayer Services:
- Analyze the quality of taxpayer services, such as helplines, online resources, and customer support, to assist taxpayers in understanding and complying with tax regulations.
- International Cooperation:
- Examine the country’s participation in international efforts to combat tax evasion and avoidance, such as the exchange of tax information with other countries.
- Legal Framework:
- Evaluate the legal framework governing income tax administration for its clarity, consistency, and alignment with the country’s economic and social goals.
- Feedback Mechanisms:
- Assess whether there are mechanisms for taxpayers to provide feedback and suggestions for improving the tax collection and administration process.
An effective appraisal of income tax collection and administration should result in recommendations for improvements, whether in terms of policy changes, administrative reforms, or better taxpayer education. It should also consider the broader economic and social goals of taxation, such as reducing income inequality and promoting economic growth.