JTB begins transition to implement new tax laws

The Joint Tax Board has begun its transition process ahead of the implementation of new tax laws, unveiling a new brand identity in Abuja.

The move follows the signing into law of the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025 by President Bola Tinubu on June 26.

The Act replaces the existing Joint Tax Board structure with a new Joint Revenue Board, which will take effect from January 1, 2026.

The new identity was launched at the Board’s 158th meeting held on Wednesday at the Transcorp Hilton, with a new logo unveiled for the board.

The Chairman of the Board, Dr Zacch Adedeji, said the fresh identity signals a shift in how revenue administration will be coordinated across the country.

He said, “The new brand identity represents renewal, transformation, and our collective commitment to excellence in revenue administration. It reflects what the JRB stands for and will guide our activities and operations in the emerging dispensation.”

Adedeji explained that the transition is intended to deepen collaboration among revenue authorities, improve information sharing, and strengthen compliance.

He said States and relevant agencies must ensure that all adjustments needed for the new system are completed before the new tax Acts become operational.

According to him, the reform represents a major step towards a more unified revenue administration model.

He said the change would ensure better alignment in tax policy implementation and support the country’s efforts at improving non-oil revenue.

He told participants that the theme of the meeting, “Managing Transition: Driving Transformation, Building the Future of Tax Administration in Nigeria”, captured the demands of the moment.

He added that building the future of tax administration would depend on improved skills, new technology, and sustained investment in infrastructure.

The Executive Secretary of the Board, Mr Olusegun Adesokan, said the transition would have practical benefits for taxpayers and government institutions.

He said the JRB would create a revenue-friendly environment that works for everyone, adding that work had already begun to harmonise taxpayers’ information nationwide.

Adesokan disclosed that a national taxpayer database is being developed to support the Tax ID project.

He said Tax ID numbers would be issued to individuals and companies based on foundational data such as the National Identification Number and corporate registration records.

He also noted that member States were already aligning with the transition. He said chairmen of Internal Revenue Services were driving the domestication of a uniform tax and levy law in their States to remove duplication and make compliance easier.

The meeting featured presentations from committees of the Board and reports on reform initiatives from across the federation.

Participants discussed how to manage the transition, anticipate emerging challenges, and ensure that the implementation of the new Act proceeds without disruption.

The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair, said the Joint Revenue Board would unite all revenue agencies under one structure to harmonise taxes across the country.

He described the transition as part of “groundbreaking reforms” by the administration, saying a uniform system would improve investment and development. According to him, the priority now is to ensure that citizens understand the reforms.

Subair said Lagos was prepared for the new tax laws, which take effect in January 2026. He explained that his only concern was communication and public awareness, noting that “one of the major pillars of taxation is simplicity and creating enlightenment.” He said the public must know how the reforms affect them.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, Mrs Folashade Omoniyi, said the new structure gives the Board more authority than before.

She noted that until the new law was signed in June, the body was simply a joint tax board made up of state revenue chairmen and the FIRS.

The new Act, she said, has now created a Joint Revenue Board with stronger executive powers.

Omoniyi said one of her priorities is ensuring that the ban on roadblocks is enforced nationwide.

She explained that roadblocks contribute to the high prices of goods and that removing them would make the reforms meaningful to citizens.

According to her, achieving this will require executive orders and advocacy so that citizens understand their rights.

She added that consistent enforcement across states would demonstrate the reform’s true value, saying she would be “very happy” if this were one of the new Board’s achievements.

The transition is expected to take full effect in January, when the new tax Acts begin implementation.