The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a USSD code, *829#, to simplify tax payments. This initiative aims to improve the ease of doing business and enhance taxpayer satisfaction.
The Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, announced the launch during the agency’s Customer Service Week at the Revenue House in Abuja under the theme “Above and Beyond.”
According to a statement from the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, the USSD code makes Nigeria the sixth African country to deploy such a system for simplifying tax payment processes.
Taxpayers on any mobile network in Nigeria can use the USSD code to access real-time services, including retrieving Taxpayers Identification Number, verifying Tax Clearance Certificate, obtaining information on tax types and rates, locating the nearest FIRS office, and getting answers to general tax-related inquiries.
During the ceremony, Adedeji emphasized the agency’s commitment to simplifying tax administration and ensuring seamless engagement with taxpayers, regardless of their location. He encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the benefits offered by the USSD code and utilize it for all their inquiries.
Adedeji explained that with the *829# USSD code, taxpayers can easily retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number, verify their Tax Clearance Certificate, access information on tax types and rates, find the nearest FIRS office, and receive answers to general tax-related inquiries, all without needing internet access.
He highlighted that this technological advancement reflects the agency’s dedication to creating an efficient, transparent, and responsive tax system. In addition to the USSD code, the agency also launched the Customer Centricity Guide, a booklet containing policies, processes, and procedures designed to prioritize taxpayers.
Adedeji emphasized that the guide embodies the agency’s commitment to putting taxpayers at the center of its service delivery, outlining principles and values to drive interactions with taxpayers with respect, professionalism, and efficiency.
He stressed that taxpayers are valued partners in nation-building and encouraged everyone to make full use of the *829# service and embrace the Customer Centricity Guide, providing crucial feedback to enhance services and meet the evolving needs of taxpayers.
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