By TOM CHIAHEMEN, Abuja –
All is now set for the 42nd annual technical conference of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), which opens in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Monday.
This year’s Technical Conference, scheduled to hold from November 28 to December 1, 2022 is being hosted by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), with the theme: “Tax Administration in the Digital Era.”
The Heads of Tax Authorities, and their delegations in the 47-member countries of CATA are expected to attend the Annual Conference, according to Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, Special Assistant (Media & Communication) to the Executive Chairman, FIRS.
.CATA is an associated organisation of the Commonwealth, established in 1978 by a decision of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers, with a current membership of 47 Commonwealth countries.
The organisation helps member-countries develop effective tax systems that promote sustainable development and good governance, particularly amongst developing countries.
FIRS, which is hosting this year’s CATA conference is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government.
Formed in 1943, FIRS’ current Executive Chairman is Mr. Muhammad Nami, renowned for emphasizing the use of technology for tax administration, and the deployment of the signature TaxPro Max for FIRS Tax Administration.
Under Nami’s leadership, the FIRS collected the sum of N6.405 trillion Naira in the year 2021, which is the highest amount ever collected by the Service and the first time the Service is crossing the six trillion Naira mark.
He is also the President of CATA and, as noted by Wojuola, “it is little coincidence that his country is playing host to the 42nd CATA Technical Conference.”
Giving further insights to the 42nd CATA conference, Wojuola explained at the weekend that the Annual Technical Conference serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas on current issues pertaining to tax systems, administration and policies globally.
“The conference is a platform to enhance the capacity of member-nations to develop effective tax administrations that promote sustainable development and good governance,” he said.
The Annual Technical Conference is hosted by different member-governments each year, wherein it debates contemporary tax policy and technical issues of concern to members’ tax administrations.
It is attended by senior tax officials up to commissioner level, representatives of agencies providing aid to developing countries, other interested international organisations and observers from certain non-Commonwealth governments.
The conference is normally opened by the President of the host country, or a delegated minister, and continues for five working days.
This year’s Technical Conference would be declared open by Mr. Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) who would be representing President Muhammadu Buhari, according to the SA to FIRS Executive Chairman.
Continuing, Wojuola said the theme for this year’s conference is “Tax Administration in the Digital Era,” had been carefully selected “to enable tax administrators interact on how to adapt to this technological revolution, while creating innovative solutions and processes that meet the demand of the modern-day taxation.”
“The shift from a physical oriented commercial environment to one that is electronic and information-based poses serious and substantial issues in relation to the adequacy of existing taxation regimes. Tax administrators today face the daunting task of protecting their revenue base without hindering either the development and use of new technology or the involvement of the business community in the emerging e-market place,” he added.
The programme of the conference as seen by NATIONAL ACCORD also shows that the four-day conference, holding at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, will be in sessions, panel discussions and meetings of CATA Heads of delegation, regional directors and country correspondents.
It further shows that the opening Remarks would be delivered by the Executive Director, CATA, Mr. Duncan Onduru, the Chairman of CATA, Mr. Datuk Mohammed Nizom Sairi, Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Board of Malaysia, as well as the Vice Chairman, CATA, Mr. Jon Swerdlow (International Relations Specialist, His Royal Majesty Revenue and Customs), while Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed will deliver welcome remarks, with Mr. Taiwo Oyedele (Africa Tax and Fiscal Policy Leader, PWC), delivering the Keynote Address on Taxation in the Digital Era.
Participants at the various sessions during the Conference are expected to discuss important relevant topics, including: Digitalization and the informal economy, Digitalization and Taxpayer Information Security, Change Management Process in a Digitalized Tax Administration, Digitalization and the Challenges of the Digitalized Economy and, Digitalization and the Harmonization of the Tax System.
On the significance of the 42nd CATA General Assembly, the SA to the FIRS Executive Chairman said: “As the globe draws towards a digital era, businesses, public affairs and human interactions now take place over the internet space. Tax and tax administration is not left out in this transition.
“This Conference would bring together global leaders in tax to discuss how Tax Administration is impacted by the Digital Era, while also fashioning out strategies to respond to this era.
“The Conference would discuss how to bring more citizens of the Commonwealth, especially those in the informal economy, into the tax net. It would discuss solutions to the challenges of the Digital Era.
“A key issue that would be on the table is the OECD Inclusive Framework Two-Pillar Solution to the challenges of taxation of the Digital Economy and its acceptability to Developing Nations, like Nigeria.
“It is interesting to note that Nigeria, the host, as well as Kenya, are two African nations that have not endorsed the Inclusive Framework Two-Pillar solution. Their cause for their stands would be further enunciated during this conference.
“Crucially, this body of the Commonwealth would discuss ways in which they can have a commonality of purpose in tax administration as well as better interactions among themselves.
“Mr. Muhammad Nami, the Executive Chairman FIRS, would be celebrating one year in office as the President of the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators. When he came into office, he set out some programmes for his three-year tenure, including: improving the capacity of tax officers in member countries; promotion of Multilateral Commonwealth Income Tax Relief for member countries; promotion of Bilateral Avoidance of Double Taxation Treaty among member countries; and forging beneficial partnerships with multilateral institutions to support CATA and its members.
“This conference would provide Mr. Nami an avenue to take stock on how much he has done on these objectives.”
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