ABSTRACT
Since the past years, none of the students of the department of Accounting either NCE or B.Sc. has made any write-up on the topic Nigeria Tax system.
In view of this, it is important and necessary to let students of Accountancy Department and necessary and other Department to know the importance of tax system in the Development of Nigeria economy.
This has become imperative because of the ignorance of people on the importance of Nigeria Tax system, which has been a hindrance to the economic development. People usually feel cheated when asked to pay up their tax liabilities. If people are aware of the aims, objectives and contribution of the Nigeria tax system to the economy, they will not feel reluctant to discharge their civic responsibilities while the government will not hesitate to provide the masses with vital social amenities.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE
CERTIFICATION
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Objective and Purpose of the Study
1.4 Scope of the Study
1.5 Research Methodology
1.6 Statement of Hypothesis
1.7 Definition of Terms
1.8 Organization and Plan of the Study
1.9 Limitation of the study
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition of Taxation
2.2 The various Types of Taxes
2.3 Theoretical Aims and Objectives of Taxation
2.4 Miscellaneous Taxes
2.5 Assessment Procedure
2.6 Problems of Tax Collection in Nigeria
CHAPTER THREE
CASE STUDY AND METHODOLOGY
3.1 History of the Kwara State
Board of Internal Revenues
3.2 Organization structure of the Board
3.3 Objectives of the Board of Internal Revenue
3.4 Mode of Data Collection
3.5 Hypothesis Testing
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Data Analysis (PAYE and Direct Assessment)
4.2 Other Revenue Sections
4.3 Contribution of Tax to the Nigerian Economy
4.4 Findings
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary
5.2 Conclusion
5.3 Recommendation
REFERENCES
APPENDICES
A. Letter of Introduction
B. Questionnaire
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
The existence of taxes had been before the colonization of African countries. Taxes existed in Africa for the common benefits of African populace.
In Nigeria; taxes were paid and were properly recognized then and there were few cases of tax evasion and tax avoidance.
Though, compared with what we have now taxes realized then were relatively small but sufficient for the need of the society as at that time.
However, what we have in Nigeria today Is to a large extent an offspring of the British tax system, inherited from our colonial masters.
For example taxes were prominent In the northern part of Nigeria before the colonial era, by the way of rendering free services such as clearing of bush, digging of wells, digging of pit toilets, etc. all these were recognized as taxes for the benefits of the community as a whole.
Cattle rearers and citizens even went to the extent of giving cows and horses so that community could sell them and use the proceeds for the economic development of the community.
There were laws or regulations guiding the procedure, then and even if there were any, they where not on record today.
In those days, the obas, Emirs and obis were appointed and recognized as commissioners for tax purpose which is now equivalent to the modern commissioners for finance and ‘revenue. These chiefs would in turn appoint ward chiefs who would be operating under their authority. Also, the ward chiefs would appoint family heads to carry out any responsibilities given to them.
Any matter which could cause delay in tax administration would be jointly decided by the Oba, Emir or obi and his council of’ chiefs and the Oba, Emir or Obi are usually the chairman of such a panel or meetings. The system ha know been adopted by: the joint tax board with some moderation as the letter is not the combination of chiefs but a combination of different professionals from’ different fields of human endeavour.
If one views the system of tax administration during pre-colonial period, there taxes collected at times, could be less than expresses incurred during the process of collection.
Also, there were few cases of tax evasion and tax avoidance could be attributed to the level and standard of education. People are now educated and so they now know how to avoid and evade tax cleverly.
However, with all this above mentioned points, the pre-colonial tax system has its disadvantage because this custodian of this money could easily run away with it or misappropriate part of the whole money or it may be stolen there were banking in those days.
Secondly, some family head were assigned to collect the tax liabilities of their wards. They could not do much in collecting the taxes from their family members who refuse to pay. They may even except their own immediate families from paying tax.
In view of those problems and disadvantages, in 1904 Lord Lugard introduced community income tax into Northern Nigerian. It is important to mention here that Nigeria tax system as it is today is an offspring of the British tax system.
Though further changes and amendments were made in the 1904 tax, which result to the native Revenue ordinance in 1917, 1918, it was extended to the southern part of Nigeria.
It was in operation in Abeokuta in Ogun State and Benin City in Edo state. In 1928, the provision was extended to the introduced as income tax on the income of individual trade,’ vocation or profession. This was however limited to profit withdrawn by the owners.
The company income tax was enacted in 1943 while the Nigerian income tax was also enacted in 1940. the tax laws and the administration of tax was not met with joy by Nigerians as the colonials masters encountered great problems in executing most of those tax laws. Were not proper and should annulled, consequence of which riot erupted. The same thing happened in the western state in Abeokuta. This was a way showing the dissatisfaction of the people with the tax laws and many women and children died in the two riots.
Since 1943 there had been some other legislation which is still relevant today. These modern ‘legislation are up to date for the modem economic system.
