How can someone in government who does not pay tax be morally justified or have the legal right to talk about issues that have to do with taxpayers’ money?
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) recently advised the incoming government of President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that it scrutinizes every intending appointee to avoid having tax evaders in his cabinet. President of CITN, Chief Mark Dike, who gave the advice on behalf of the institute, maintained that previous Nigerian governments had made this mistake and today, “we are all living with the consequences”.
We share the same opinion with the CITN, because individuals, who evade tax and enjoy benefits of social amenities put in place with taxes paid by other people, lack a conscience and so do not deserve the opportunity to preside over how taxes paid by others should be expended.
Indeed, it would be of interest to know how many politicians do any other business apart from the business of being “political jobbers”. Politicians and other aspirants to political positions in government should be made to show a three-years tax clearance certificates as evidence that they are responsible people who voluntarily pay tax without being badgered, because they employ all kinds of tricks to evade tax payment.
Certainly we consider the charge by the CITN as food for thought, because not meet tax obligation is as good as stealing from those who are paying taxes regularly. How can someone in government who does not pay tax be morally justified or have the legal right to talk about issues that have to do with taxpayers’ money?
Obviously people who evade tax are culpable, so if they find themselves in positions of authority, they would definitely do everything to ensure that such measures do not work.
Paying tax voluntarily gives those who pay a voice. It empowers those who pay to be able to ask questions about how tax payers’ money is spent. We believe that depriving Tax evaders the opportunity of holding government positions without exemption would show the seriousness of the offence and send the signal to everyone that tax evasion is criminal.
If we are all crying for “change” and the slogan of the incoming government is “Change,” then the Buhari administration should see the need to make certain that tax evaders do not enter his cabinet, no matter how close they are to him. Ensuring that his cabinet cannot be pointed at with accusing fingers is one of the surest ways to be able to effect voluntary tax payment.
