The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) is seeking to expand the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) through a broader tax base, digital tax administration and improved taxpayer compliance as the Government moves to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation.

The strategy, outlined at the service’s 2026 third-quarter stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Kaduna on Thursday, was anchored on the implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026.

Ibrahim Muhammad, Kaduna State Commissioner for Finance, said the reforms were designed to address inefficiencies in tax administration, improve revenue collection and strengthen public confidence in the tax system.

He said increased domestic revenue is essential to financing public services and meeting the State’s development obligations, given the limitations of federal allocations.

According to him, the Government’s priority is to expand the number of eligible taxpayers rather than increase the tax burden on those already complying with their obligations.

“The approach is not necessarily increasing the debt for taxpayers but widening the net to ensure that more people pay tax,” Muhammad said.

He identified accurate taxpayer registration, improved assessment and collection, reliable data management and the integration of government revenue records as critical to implementing the reforms effectively.

The commissioner urged KADIRS to strengthen taxpayer identification, promote electronic filing and payments, reconcile revenue records and collaborate with ministries, departments and agencies to identify compliance gaps.

He also called for greater public awareness of applicable tax reliefs and exemptions, particularly for eligible low-income earners and small businesses, to ensure that the reforms do not impose unnecessary burdens on vulnerable taxpayers.

Muhammad stressed that simplified registration and filing procedures, accessible tax information, effective complaint resolution and fair enforcement would be necessary to encourage voluntary compliance.

He further emphasised the need to protect taxpayer information, insisting that data sharing among government institutions must comply with privacy, confidentiality and due-process requirements.

Earlier, Mohammed Lawal, Acting Executive Chairman of KADIRS, said the quarterly stakeholders’ engagement was designed to strengthen communication between the revenue authority, taxpayers, businesses, government agencies and other stakeholders.

He said the meetings provided an opportunity to identify challenges in tax administration, receive complaints and obtain recommendations for improving service delivery.

Lawal identified automation, taxpayer sensitisation, improved compliance procedures and grievance resolution as key priorities of the service.

He stated that KADIRS had established a standing committee to address taxpayer complaints and introduced additional channels for receiving grievances, including a voice-interactive complaint resolution system.

According to him, feedback from stakeholders is reviewed and incorporated into the service’s administrative processes where necessary.

“We take note, go back and review the feedback we receive. Where we consider changes and improvements necessary, we implement them before the next stakeholders’ engagement,” he said.

He reaffirmed that KADIRS is responsible for domestic revenue mobilisation in the State, adding that effective engagement with taxpayers remained central to achieving sustainable revenue growth.

James Kanyip, Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said successful implementation of the tax reforms would depend on respect for the rule of law, institutional cooperation and adherence to due process.

He said public awareness, reliable taxpayer information and coordination among relevant government institutions were essential to building confidence in the tax system.

Kanyip also highlighted the judiciary’s responsibility in interpreting tax legislation, protecting taxpayers’ rights, upholding the lawful powers of revenue authorities and resolving disputes.

On revenue collection by State and Local Governments, he referred to constitutional provisions governing the administration and collection of specified taxes, fees and rates by Local Government Councils.

He maintained that the relevant constitutional provisions and applicable State legislation provide a basis for assigning KADIRS responsibility for collecting specified revenues on behalf of Local Government Councils.

The Attorney-General urged taxpayers to provide accurate information, fulfil their statutory obligations and use lawful channels to challenge disputed assessments.

He also explained the distinction between tax avoidance and tax evasion, noting that while avoidance involves the lawful use of available provisions to minimise tax liabilities, evasion constitutes an illegal attempt to conceal income or falsify information to escape tax obligations.

He called on Local Government Councils, businesses and other stakeholders to cooperate with KADIRS through appropriate information sharing, while ensuring compliance with confidentiality and data protection requirements.

Ali Gora, KADIRS Executive Director, Standards and Compliance, said sustainable revenue growth required more than increased collections, stressing the importance of consistent administrative standards, effective monitoring, professional conduct and equitable treatment of taxpayers.