Challenges in complying with the first Common Reporting Standard in Nigeria - The way forward

By Mayowa Falohun - Senior Tax Adviser KPMG in Nigeria

Challenges in complying with the first CRS in Nigeria - The Way Forward

Background

Nigeria joined other signatories to the Com­mon Reporting Stand­ard - Multilareral Com­petent Authority Agree­ment (CRS-MCAA) in August 2017 as part of its commitment to combat tax evasion globally. Subsequently, the Federal Government via the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) issued the Income Tax Common Report­ing Standard Regulations, 2019 ( the Regulation) as the legal basis for the implementation of the Automatic Exchange of Lnfonnation (AEOI) in Nigeria.

According to the Regulation, financial institutions(FIs), including banks, asset management compa­nies, life insurance companies, funds are required to prepare and submit CRS returns, covering information on reportable persons, to FIRS for onward exchange with tax authorities of other participating jurisdictions. While some FIs successfully filed their CRS return before the deadline, several stakeholders encountered challenges in the preparation and filing of the return as 2020 was the first year of compliance in Nigeria.

This article highlights some of I.he challenges noted in complying with the CRS Regulation and recommends ways to ease compliance for FIs in Nigeria going forward.

Click here to read more on this article.