Tax Ombud braces up for digital asset disputes, seeks wider public awareness

The Office of the Tax Ombud has begun strengthening its capacity to handle emerging tax disputes, including potential complaints arising from the taxation of digital assets in Nigeria.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office, Dr John Nwabueze, disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos at the office’s third-quarter breakfast meeting with business editors.

Nwabueze said the office remained committed to promoting fairness, transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax administration by providing an impartial platform for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He said the office had recorded significant progress in improving access to its services through the introduction of a digital complaints portal, case management system, toll-free call centre and SMS callback services.

According to him, the initiatives have made it easier for individuals and businesses to lodge complaints and track their cases towards resolution.

“Within three months, the Office received over 20 genuine complaints, most of them involving state revenue services. Of these, eight have been successfully resolved, all within the statutory 14-day resolution period, with provision for an additional seven days where necessary,” he said.

The Tax Ombud also disclosed that the office had expanded the capacity of its accountants and legal experts to handle increasingly complex tax matters.

He said the team had been equipped to address disputes involving digital asset taxation should such complaints arise.

Nwabueze said the office was also working to improve access to its services across the country, with plans to establish offices in the six geopolitical zones.

He said the Tax Ombud had intensified engagement with professional bodies, the media, revenue authorities and other stakeholders as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s tax administration.

He added that a nationwide public sensitisation campaign was being planned to educate taxpayers and address issues such as multiple taxation.

On multiple taxation, particularly at the state and local government levels, Nwabueze said the issue remained a major concern that required cooperation among the different tiers of government.

“Multiple taxation is an endemic issue that we are determined to address by engaging all relevant stakeholders, including the Joint Revenue Board, state governments, and local government authorities.

“Through collaboration and policy engagement, we are working towards sustainable solutions,” he said.

The Tax Ombud commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing an independent tax ombudsman institution, saying the initiative would help promote voluntary tax compliance and strengthen public confidence in the tax system.

He reiterated that the core mandate of the office was to provide impartial mediation and ensure fairness, accountability and justice for both taxpayers and tax authorities.

Nwabueze also urged the media to play a greater role in educating Nigerians about their rights and the avenues available to them when they have complaints against tax authorities.

“Public awareness remains our greatest challenge. We urge the media and all stakeholders to help disseminate information about our services so that every Nigerian taxpayer is aware of their rights and knows where to seek redress whenever necessary,” he said.