‘Tax ID Won’t Trigger Automatic Bank Deductions’ – Revenue Board Clears Rumours

The Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, has debunked claims that the newly introduced Tax Identification system will allow banks to deduct money automatically from citizens’ accounts.

Adesokan said the rumours circulating online and in some public spaces were false and misleading. He explained that obtaining a Tax ID does not give financial institutions the power to withdraw funds without consent or due process.

The clarification came as many Nigerians began retrieving their new Tax IDs through the recently launched portal, which became operational on January 1, 2026.

The platform serves as Nigeria’s centralised taxpayer database and is jointly managed by the JRB and the Nigeria Revenue Service.

Speaking on the development, Adesokan praised Nigerians who have already registered on the portal. He said fears about automatic deductions were based on speculation and not supported by any policy or regulation.

“I commend patriotic taxpayers who stood in solidarity with the government on this tax reforms. I thank every taxpayer who was not swayed by the negative propaganda against the reform and the Tax ID.

“Now, it is obvious that the speculation that monies will be deducted arbitrarily from people’s bank account from January 1, 2026, was unfounded. It is also obvious that the rumour about automatic taxation of people’s money once they get a Tax ID is also false.”

He added that the ongoing tax reforms were carefully designed to protect low-income earners while encouraging economic growth. According to him, incentives have been built into the system for individuals and businesses across different income levels.

Adesokan urged Nigerians who are yet to retrieve their Tax IDs to use the official portal. He noted that the platform was created as a self-service system with strong data protection measures in line with the guidelines of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.

He also disclosed that the implementation of the reforms has started at both federal and state levels. He assured that the JRB and its partner agencies are confident of a smooth rollout and called on the public to continue to cooperate with authorities.

Meanwhile, many taxpayers who have already accessed their Tax IDs described the portal as easy to use and efficient. Users said the process of retrieval was fast and required minimal assistance.

Under the new system, individuals can obtain a unique 13-digit Tax ID using their National Identity Number, while businesses retrieve theirs with registration numbers issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission and other approved government agencies.

The portal is expected to harmonise previously scattered taxpayer records into a single national database. Officials say this will improve coordination, strengthen revenue administration, and enhance data security across the country.

The initiative forms part of broader fiscal reforms being carried out by the administration of Bola Tinubu.

To measure public response, the JRB Help Desk team conducted a feedback survey through digital platforms including Facebook, X, Instagram, WhatsApp, and phone interviews. Participants were asked four questions about their experience using the portal.

According to the head of the team, over 98 percent of respondents reported that retrieving their Tax ID was seamless.

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