By Oluwakemi Kindness
The Office of the Tax Ombud has reaffirmed that it will not protect taxpayers from lawful tax obligations, insisting that its mandate is to ensure fairness, transparency and impartial resolution of eligible tax disputes.
The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, Dr John Nwabueze, stated this at a town hall meeting in Abuja at the weekend, where he clarified the office’s role in addressing grievances arising from tax and revenue administration.
Nwabueze explained that the office was established to resolve operational, procedural and administrative complaints, offering free services to taxpayers and other affected parties.
“Our focus is not only on the rights of taxpayers but also on their responsibilities and those of the relevant authorities,” he said.
He stressed that the office neither formulates tax policy nor performs the functions of the courts. It also cannot cancel legitimate tax liabilities simply because taxpayers are unwilling to pay.
According to him, the office’s responsibility is to facilitate the resolution of eligible complaints within its statutory mandate while promoting consistency and accountability in the tax system.
Nwabueze further identified inadequate transparency and inefficient grievance-redress mechanisms as systemic challenges requiring attention.
He noted that a fair and predictable tax system was critical to economic growth, investor confidence and improved tax compliance among small and medium-sized enterprises, market traders and other businesses.
The Tax Ombud reiterated its commitment to protecting taxpayers’ rights while ensuring that revenue authorities retain their lawful powers and responsibilities.
Participants at the meeting, including representatives of market associations, professional bodies, business organisations, road transport unions and airline operators, called for simpler administrative procedures, clearer tax assessment criteria and more effective channels for resolving disputes.
They maintained that addressing these concerns would strengthen public confidence in tax administration and encourage voluntary compliance.
The Office of the Tax Ombud said it would continue engaging relevant stakeholders to promote a transparent, accountable and equitable tax system that protects taxpayers without undermining lawful revenue collection.
