BENIN CITY – The challenge of obsolete and manually obtained taxpayers data in tax administration can be curbed by an effective implementation of Tax Identification Number (TIN) regulations.
This position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the sensitization workshop on TIN  Regulations2014 organised by the Edo State Internal Revenue Service  (EIRS) in Benin City.
The communiqué noted that the primary objectives of TIN premised on reliable and contralised data base for tax authorities in the country would lead to an increased revenue base for the three tiers of government.
The workshop which was moderated by Hon. Justice Joy Oghogho Okeaya-Inneh said that taxpayers in line with TIN regulation /Personal Income Tax Acts  (PITA) are expected to make their TIN available in the form of transaction involving income taxes.
It pointed out that the harmonization derivable from the central data base would help to mitigate the challenges/hardship posed by multiple taxation in the country, adding that the availability of TIN information would no doubt widen tax base, enhance tax compliance and reduce cost of tax collections.
It lamented that while most banks comply with the requirements of submitting information of newly opened bank accounts, the requirement for the supply of TIN was not being enforced.
The workshop advocated stiff penalty for tax officers who supply wrong information, just as it maintained that the violation of the provisions of TIN regulations was punishable under section 13 of the TIN regulation act.
While citing some of the challenges to include, “that the requirement of TIN regulations to the effect that foreigners concerned with the remittance of  withholding tax should obtain TIN, create hardship as physical capturing of such category of taxpayers would involved their traveling down to  Nigeria for the exercise. The workshop however, urged tax authorities to look into the challenges.
It further recommended that tax officers should ensure they use available legal means to ensure that taxpayers within their jurisdictions obtain the TIN.
The workshop stressed the need for continuous training and sensitization with a view of incorporating other tax stakeholders.
The workshop featured lectures by the Executive Directors, EIRS, Barr. Emmanuel Usoh and Barr. John Obaze on TIN regulations/review of section 7-15 of TIN regulations.