CITN expresses concerns over alleged variations in Tax Act

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has expressed concerns over reports indicating different versions of the Tax Act as gazetted and passed by the National Assembly.

In a statement yesterday, President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN),  Innocent Ohagwa, said that if such discrepancies are established, whether arising from procedural lapses, administrative errors, or unauthorized alterations, they could erode public and investor confidence.

He said: “We express serious concern over allegations that the final gazetted versions of certain tax Acts may not accurately reflect the Bills as debated and passed by the National Assembly.

 “If established, such discrepancies, whether arising from procedural lapses, administrative errors, or unauthorized alterations could undermine the supremacy of the legislature, create legal ambiguity and compliance risks, erode public and investor confidence, expose taxpayers and professionals to unintended liabilities and weaken trust in governance institutions.

“In the interest of institutional credibility and public trust, we respectfully call for immediate verification of the contested tax Acts by comparing the versions passed by the National Assembly, the enrolled and gazetted Acts, clear public clarification where discrepancies are identified and prompt corrective action in line with constitutional and legislative procedures”.

Ohagwa said CITN’s concern as the pre- eminent tax institution in Nigeria,  is in ensuring that due legislative process is observed and not breached,  especially in respect of an important subject matter as taxation, which thrives on exactitude of tax legislation.