Tax authorities cannot debit bank accounts without court approval, says Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that tax authorities in Nigeria cannot debit taxpayers’ bank accounts without a full judicial process. Speaking amid public concerns over new tax laws, he emphasized that deductions can only occur after court decisions. Oyedele also dismissed claims that the new laws allow arbitrary access to bank accounts or that they have been secretly altered. He encouraged Nigerians to read the tax laws thoroughly to avoid misinformation.
What we know
- Taiwo Oyedele stated that tax authorities must follow a complete judicial process before debiting any bank account for tax liabilities.
- He explained that the process includes assessment, objection, appeals through various courts, and only after final judgment can deductions occur.
- The power to recover unpaid taxes from bank accounts already exists in current laws and is not a new provision.
- Oyedele rejected allegations that the gazetted tax laws were secretly changed or stripped courts of their powers.
- He urged the public to read the full text of tax laws and avoid selective interpretation that could cause unnecessary panic.
