The Problems of Tax Collection and Effects on the Revenue Generation in Nigeria

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Of The Study

The importance of revenue generated to the Local, States and the Federal Government cannot be overemphasized. Its importance to the Federal and State Government in recent time promulgated and introduced policy reforms in the country through taxation laws and policies which is our major source of revenue generation. This can be seen not only in the introduction of new tax, the Value Added Tax (VAT), but also in the improvement of the administration of non-oil taxation with the main objective of substantially improving the generation of revenue and sources as well as to reduce to the barest the nation’s (the local, the state and federal government minimum inclusive) dependency on the oil sector and sources of revenue generation.

According to Ola (1984), income tax is one of the major sources of Revenue to Government in Nigeria and it is a factor to be reckoned within both the local, state and the federal government budget, the primary purpose of taxation is to raise revenue to finance government capital and recurrent expenditure. Furthermore, Ayua (1999) noted that “There is hardly any government today that does not relay on taxation as a measure not only to provide for the much needed revenue for socio-economic growth and development but also to reduce the inequalities of wealth in the society. Taxation be it capital gains, tax or petroleum profile tax, personnel income tax, levies, fines etc as a source of generated revenue in the hands of government is used to achieve economic growth, fight depression and inflation in the economy, achieve equitable distribution of income and wealth, allocate resources in a socially and desirable manner so as to ensure that the balance of payment of the country, (the federal, states and local government) are in a healthy position. In Orumba local government there was an increased enlightenment on the need for citizens to pay their taxes promptly as a means of revenue generation in state, the state government during the last military regime took steps further to institute a task force to accelerate revenue generation in the state, all in a heel to raising revenue to budget standard which has always been falling below measure or budgeted.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

The ever increasing cost of running government expenditure on revenue generation in terms of the provision and maintenance of utilities and amenities coupled with the dwelling national economy due to inflation and pressure on existing infrastructure facilities such as school, hospitals etc. due to population increase has left government with no other option but to source for and raise fund internally or within the areas of jurisdiction and the only way of doing this successfully is through taxes from every taxable audit and sources; imposition of fines and levies.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The major objective of this study is to find out the problems of tax collection and their effect on the revenue generation.

Their objectives can be summarized as the following:

1. To review the collecting procedure of taxes, levies fines, rate e.g. in Orumba Local Government Council.
2. To find out the problems of tax collection and its effects on Local Government revenue.
3. To determine the comprehensiveness of the statistical data of taxable adults and business.
4. To find out the revenue collectors and the taxable adults and business in terms of actual income and from all sources, profits and accountability of low much was actually collected or realized as against the expenditure.
5. To review existing literature and collect information on demanded revenue report.
6. To make recommendation based on the finding.

1.4 Significance Of The Study

The essence of this research is to thrown more light on the problems facing tax collection and it effects on Local Government revenue with a study sample of Orumba Local Government Area. The outcome of this research will hopefully help to proffer possible solutions to these problems. It is also expected that result will be useful to policy makers in this country. The researcher intends to stimulate the students of public administration in particular and other studies in general to desire and discover what their various local governments have accomplished towards revenue generation.

It is also intended to be beneficial to the residents and indigenes of Orumba South Local Government Area in Anambra State who are the target group of the tax generation.

1.5 Research Question

In developing this research work, the researcher posed some research questions. Those research questions will enable zany reader of this work to comprehend clearly what the study is all about. However, these research questions are formulated based on the objective of this study.

Sequel to this, posing the following research questions becomes inescapable imperative.

1. What are the problems of tax collection in Orumba South Local Government Council?
2. How are revenue generated in Orumba South Local Government Council?
3. How realistic and appropriate are these criteria used in realizing revenue?
4. Does revenue officers and tax collectors account for money that was realize?
5. What are the measurement criteria?