Section 4 — Functions of the Service

(1) The Service shall—

(a) assess persons including corporations, companies and individuals chargeable with tax, other than individuals, resident in any state of the Federation or the Federal Capital Territory;

(b) collect or recover tax assessed, enforce payment of taxes and remit tax collected, under the provisions of this Act or any other law, into designated accounts;

(c) account for all revenue accruing to the Government;

(d) in collaboration with the relevant Ministries and Agencies of Government, subject to the approval of the National Assembly, review the tax regimes and promote the use of taxation to develop, stimulate and grow economic activities;

(e) carry out examination and investigation exercises with a view to enforcing compliance with the provisions of this Act, and any other tax law;

(f) make a determination of the extent of financial loss and such other losses by Government arising from tax fraud or evasion, and revenue foregone arising from tax waivers and other related matters;

(g) adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize proceeds derived from tax fraud or evasion, in line with the provisions of this Act;

(h) adopt measures which include compliance and regulatory actions, introduction and maintenance of investigative and control techniques on the detection and prevention of non-compliance with tax laws;

(i) collaborate and facilitate exchange of information with relevant national or international agencies or bodies on tax matters;

(j) undertake exchange of personnel or other experts with complementary agencies for purposes of comparative experience or capacity building;

(k) establish and maintain a system for monitoring international dynamics of taxation in order to identify suspicious transactions, and the perpetrators or other persons involved;

(l) provide and maintain access to up-to-date and adequate data and information on all taxable persons, individuals, corporate bodies or all agencies of Government involved in the collection of revenue for the purpose of efficient, effective and correct tax administration and to prevent tax evasion or fraud;

(m) maintain database, statistics, records and reports on persons, organisations, proceeds, properties, documents or other items or assets relating to tax administration including matters relating to tax waivers, fraud or evasion;

(n) undertake and support research or similar measures with a view to stimulating economic development and determine the manifestation, extent, and effects of tax waivers, fraud, evasion and other matters that affect effective tax administration and make recommendations to the Government on appropriate intervention and preventive measures;

(o) collate and continually review all policies of the Government relating to taxation and revenue generation and undertake a systematic and progressive implementation of such policies;

(p) liaise with the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, any Government security and law enforcement agency, and such other financial supervisory institutions in the enforcement and eradication of tax related offences;

(q) issue taxpayer identification or any other equivalent identity to every relevant taxable person in collaboration with tax authorities of States or Local Governments, or the Joint Revenue Board;

(r) carry out and sustain public awareness and enlightenment campaign on the benefits of tax compliance;

(s) carry out assigned administrative and oversight functions over all taxes and levies accruable to the Government of the Federation and, as it may be required, query, subpoena, sanction or reward any activity pertaining to the assessment, collection of and accounting for revenues accruable to the Government; and

(t) provide or receive assistance in the collection of revenue claims or any other administrative assistance in tax matters with respect to any agreement or arrangement made between the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Government of any country, person or body as may be deemed necessary.

(2) The Service shall, with the approval of the Minister, make rules and issue regulations as, in its opinion, are necessary or expedient for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for the due administration of its provisions; and such rules and regulations shall provide compliance requirements and may include consequences for non-compliance in line with relevant laws.

(3) The Service shall carry out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions under this Act including—

(a) specifying the form of returns, claims, statements or notices necessary for the due administration of the powers conferred on it by this Act; and

(b) deploying appropriate technology or digital platforms to automate any of its tax administration processes or in carrying out any of its functions under this Act.