New Tax Law: GIRS, AC4D Rally Citizens Behind Voluntary Tax Compliance
By Auwal Ahmad Umar
The Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), in partnership with the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), has intensified efforts to promote voluntary tax compliance by engaging citizens and key stakeholders on the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026.
At a sensitisation workshop held in Gombe, the Executive Chairman of GIRS, Aisha Adamu, said the initiative was aimed at deepening public understanding of the new tax law and encouraging individuals and businesses to fulfil their tax obligations as a civic responsibility that supports sustainable development.
The workshop, themed **”Citizens’ Commitment Towards Tax Compliance,”** brought together representatives of government institutions, the business community, professional bodies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, the media and taxpayers to discuss the benefits of the new tax reforms and their role in strengthening revenue generation.
Addressing participants, Mrs Adamu described taxation as the foundation of economic growth and effective governance, noting that voluntary compliance would enable government to provide better infrastructure and essential public services.
She welcomed participants and commended their commitment to building a tax-compliant society, saying collaboration among stakeholders was essential to the success of the state’s revenue drive.
According to her, taxes remain the lifeblood of government, providing the financial resources required to deliver roads, schools, healthcare facilities, security, water supply and other critical social amenities.
> “Tax compliance is not merely a legal obligation; it is a civic responsibility and a demonstration of patriotism. When citizens pay their taxes voluntarily, government is better positioned to deliver development and improve the welfare of the people,” she said.
Mrs Adamu said GIRS had continued to implement taxpayer-friendly reforms designed to simplify tax administration, improve service delivery and expand public enlightenment in line with the ongoing national tax reforms.
She explained that the workshop was also intended to strengthen dialogue between government and taxpayers by creating a platform for exchanging ideas on practical ways to improve compliance and enhance internally generated revenue.
The GIRS chairman urged participants to actively engage in the discussions, seek clarification where necessary and share the knowledge gained with others in their communities.
She appreciated stakeholders for honouring the invitation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, fair and efficient tax administration system.
Declaring the workshop open, Mrs Adamu called for sustained collaboration among government, businesses and citizens to build a stronger tax culture capable of accelerating Gombe State’s socio-economic development.
Earlier, the Team Lead of the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, said the sensitisation programme was organised to bridge the information gap between government and citizens by ensuring that people clearly understood the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026.
He said public awareness was critical to the success of tax reforms, stressing that informed citizens were more likely to comply voluntarily and support transparency and accountability in public finance.
According to him, taxation remains one of the most reliable sources of revenue for financing development projects and delivering essential services, making it imperative for citizens to understand both their rights and responsibilities under the new law.
> “When citizens understand how the tax system works and how public revenue is utilised, they are more willing to comply voluntarily. That is why continuous engagement and public education remain central to the success of the New Tax Law 2026,” Mr Yusuf said.
He urged participants to take the knowledge acquired during the workshop back to their respective communities, noting that sustained public engagement would help dispel misconceptions about taxation and strengthen trust between citizens and government.
Mr Yusuf also commended GIRS for partnering with civil society organisations to expand tax education, describing the collaboration as an important step towards building an inclusive, transparent and sustainable tax administration system in Gombe State.
Participants engaged resource persons in interactive discussions on the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026, taxpayers’ rights and obligations, available tax reliefs and compliance procedures, while GIRS officials responded to questions and clarified issues raised during the session.
The organisers expressed optimism that sustained public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement would improve voluntary tax compliance, increase internally generated revenue and contribute to the continued socio-economic development of Gombe State.
