Tax Transparency

Introduction: As Nigeria strives to bolster its economic growth and attract foreign direct investment, promoting tax transparency has emerged as a critical aspect of its fiscal policy. In 2021, the Nigerian government took a significant step towards enhancing tax transparency by enacting the Finance Act. This landmark legislation introduced various measures aimed at fostering a more transparent tax environment, reducing tax evasion, and increasing revenue generation. As a leading accounting firm in Nigeria, we examine the key measures in the Nigeria Finance Act 2021 that address tax transparency and their potential impact on businesses and the economy. 1. Mandatory Digital Tax Compliance: One of the key provisions of the Finance Act 2021 is the mandatory digital tax compliance for non-resident digital service providers. With the rapid expansion of the digital economy, many foreign companies provide services to Nigerian consumers without having a physical presence in the country. The Act now requires such non-resident digital service providers to register for tax purposes and remit Value Added Tax (VAT) on their services. This measure ensures that multinational digital companies contribute their fair share of taxes in Nigeria, creating a level playing field for local businesses while increasing tax revenue for the government. Enhanced tax compliance from foreign digital service providers is expected to bolster tax transparency and accountability in the digital economy. 2. Transfer Pricing Regulations: The Finance Act 2021 introduced amendments to Nigeria’s transfer pricing regulations, which play a vital role in combating tax base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational corporations. The Act aligns the country’s transfer pricing rules with international best practices, as outlined in the OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines. The new regulations require businesses to maintain proper transfer pricing documentation to demonstrate the arm’s length nature of their transactions with related parties. This measure enhances transparency by ensuring that transfer prices are set at fair market values, preventing undue tax advantages and providing tax authorities with greater visibility into multinational corporations’ financial transactions. 3. Reporting Obligations for Multinational Companies: To further improve tax transparency, the Finance Act 2021 introduced new reporting obligations for multinational companies operating in Nigeria. The Act mandates the submission of Country-by-Country Reports (CbCRs) for multinational corporations meeting specified revenue thresholds. These CbCRs provide tax authorities with comprehensive information about the global allocation of revenue, profits, taxes paid, and economic activities of multinational entities. By sharing this information with other tax jurisdictions through the automatic exchange of information, Nigeria aims to enhance cross-border tax transparency and cooperation. This measure enables tax authorities to detect and address any potential tax avoidance strategies employed by multinational corporations, thereby ensuring a fair and equitable tax system. 4. Strengthening Anti-Tax Avoidance Rules: The Nigeria Finance Act 2021 introduced measures to strengthen the country’s anti-tax avoidance rules, including the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR). The GAAR empowers tax authorities to challenge and disregard transactions or arrangements that have the main purpose of obtaining tax benefits in an abusive manner. By including the GAAR in the Act, Nigeria signals its commitment to combating aggressive tax planning schemes and promoting transparency in taxpayers’ actions. This provision acts as a deterrent against tax evasion and reinforces the importance of conducting business with integrity and ethical practices. Conclusion: The Nigeria Finance Act 2021 marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards enhancing tax transparency. By introducing measures such as mandatory digital tax compliance, strengthened transfer pricing regulations, reporting obligations for multinational companies, and anti-tax avoidance rules, Nigeria demonstrates its commitment to fostering a fair and equitable tax environment. These measures not only improve revenue generation for the government but also boost investor confidence by creating a transparent and predictable tax system. As a leading accounting firm in Nigeria, we advise businesses to proactively embrace these changes, ensuring compliance with the new tax provisions and taking advantage of the opportunities that come with increased tax transparency. By working collaboratively with tax authorities and seeking professional guidance, businesses can navigate these reforms successfully and contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable economic growth and development. For professional advice on Accountancy, Transfer Pricing, Tax, Assurance, Outsourcing, Company Registration, and CAC matters, please contact Sunmola David & CO (Chartered Accountants & Tax Practitioners) at www.sunmoladavid.com. You can also reach us via WhatsApp at +2348038460036.