The Joint Revenue Board has moved to dispel widespread misconceptions about the newly introduced Tax Identification system, clarifying that obtaining a Tax ID does not grant banks or financial institutions the power to deduct money automatically from citizens’ accounts.
Executive Secretary Olusegun Adesokan stated that online claims suggesting automatic withdrawals were false and misleading. He emphasised that the Tax ID is simply part of Nigeria’s centralised taxpayer database and does not authorise any direct financial deductions without due process.
“The speculation that monies will be deducted arbitrarily from people’s bank accounts from January 1, 2026, is unfounded. The rumour about automatic taxation once a Tax ID is issued is also false,” Adesokan said.
The clarification comes as Nigerians continue to retrieve their Tax IDs through the newly launched portal, which became operational as part of broader fiscal reforms. The system is jointly managed by the Nigeria Revenue Service and aims to harmonise taxpayer records into a single national database.
Adesokan commended citizens who have already registered, describing the portal as a secure and efficient platform. He stressed that the reforms are designed to protect low-income earners while strengthening revenue administration and economic growth.
According to him, safeguards are in place in line with the guidelines of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission to ensure personal data remains protected and is not misused.
Under the new framework, individuals can obtain a 13-digit Tax ID using their National Identity Number, while businesses retrieve theirs via registration records issued by relevant government agencies. Officials say the initiative will improve coordination of tax records and enhance data security.
The reforms form part of the administration’s broader fiscal strategy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at modernising revenue systems and expanding the tax base while ensuring transparency and fairness.
Public feedback on the portal has been largely positive, with over 98 percent of respondents in a survey describing the retrieval process as seamless and user-friendly.
Authorities urged Nigerians to rely on verified information and use official channels for tax-related enquiries, stressing that misinformation could undermine confidence in the reform process.
As implementation continues, the Joint Revenue Board assured citizens that the system remains designed to support economic development without compromising individual financial security.