FIRS Flags off Online Tax Payment Scheme

Nigeria last week achieved a historical milestone with the activation of the online payment of taxes, using Federal Inland Revenue Service, portal, FIRS Online.
The development signaled the the birth of a new tax payment regime in the country abd the directors and staff of the revenue agency and their technology partners (solution providers) are happy with the achievement.
First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), also became the first to record the first online payment on the FIRS portal (www.firsonline.com).
 iTECO Nigeria Limited was the first firm to pay taxes through the FIRS Internet based portal.
Withholding Tax, (WHT),--introduced about three decades ago as a form of advanced tax payment—was the first tax type to be paid on FIRS online portal.
The online payment system, is linked to all FIRS collecting and lead banks as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Under the new online payment system, taxpayers could now pay all categories of taxes online from the comfort of their desktops, laptops, palmtops and through internet enabled telephones, using the FIRS internet-based solution.
The online payment solution could be used to pay taxes administered by FIRS.
This is how the FIRS online payment works: Tax Cards are being issued by the FIRS through Lead and Collecting banks to enable tax payers fulfill their tax obligations without going to a bank branch or an FIRS office.
A statement signed by Mr. Andy Ejemeyovwi, acting director, Field Operations Processes and Programmes Department (FOPPD) at the FIRS, explained what a taxpayer needs to do to pay online: obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from any tax office if one has not been obtained, obtain an FIRS e-Tax Card from any bank of your choice where you maintain an account.
According to him, tax payers can log on to FIRS website: www.firs.gov.ng then click on make payment to be redirected to FIRS online tax page (www.firsonline.com) (it is expected that the taxpayer already has an assessment (self or government), that will determine the amount payable).
First time users are to enter their TIN and tax card numbers as provided for and shown on the FIRS payment portal. Upon entering your valid TIN and card number, click continue; the system will respond by displaying your details as contained in the database. These details include TIN, name and address. If the details displayed are ok, then enter the details of the employee who will be making the payments or the enquiries on behalf of the organization. Upon completion, accept and send. The system will generate a password and send to the entered GSM number of the employee. The sent password will be used to log in to the system.
New users (taxpayers) would need to sign on using the password sent to the GSM number and the system would make a mandatory request that you change the password to what you will prefer using the suggested password rule.