The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to enhance consistency, transparency, and service delivery in tax administration across Nigeria. This initiative aims to create a unified framework for core tax processes, including registration, payment, audit, and enforcement.
Harmonizing Tax Processes Nationwide
Mr. Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communication Strategy and Advocacy to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, stated that the revised SOP eliminates inconsistencies that often confuse taxpayers. The new SOP provides a clear, standardized roadmap for operations in all of the Service’s over 300 offices nationwide.
Omokaro emphasized that this SOP represents a commitment to transparency and service. He quoted Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, who said, “This SOP is not just a technical document—it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to the Nigerian people.”
Key Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The revised SOP aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Improved Consistency: The SOP guarantees that tax processes will be consistent across all FIRS offices.
- Enhanced Transparency: This approach makes it easier for taxpayers to understand their obligations and rights.
- Better Service Delivery: By streamlining processes and providing clearer guidance, the SOP improves the quality of service for taxpayers.
- Increased Voluntary Compliance: The SOP helps foster a tax system that encourages voluntary compliance.
Broader Reform Agenda
This SOP update forms part of a broader reform agenda at FIRS, aiming to transform the agency into a fully service-oriented institution. These changes align with the ongoing digital transformation within the agency, which seeks to harmonize human and technological systems for faster, more reliable service delivery.
The FIRS expects every staff member to adopt the new procedures fully. Additionally, the SOP will improve operational efficiency, guide staff training, and establish stronger performance evaluation systems. Overall, this initiative supports FIRS’s goal of creating a more effective tax administration system in Nigeria.
