Lagos — The Lagos State Government has said that the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) is the flagship of taxation profession in Nigeria.

The state's Special Adviser, Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Ade Ipaye in his keynote address during the Sensitisation Workshop organised by CITN on Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines held yesterday at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, said that CITN is empowered by law to regulate taxation in all ramifications.

While urging the members to keep the flag flying to justify the trust of the people, explained that though the designation is not without its own responsibilities but that at times may be onerous.

Ipaye further noted that the importance of and severity of the job is underscored by the fact that taxation is one of the few professional callings, which derive directly from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"According to Section 24(f) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every citizens to declare his income honestly to appropriate authority and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. The necessity for citizens to be assisted honestly, fairly, diligently and professionally in the discharge of this duty forms the essential basis of our meeting today, " Ipaye said.

In addition, he stressed that both tax payer and the Government always rely on members of CITN to ensure due compliance.

Ipaye, also pointed out that while the tax payer relies on Chartered Tax Practitioner (CTP) to moderate his tax liability and guide him through the compliance process in accordance with global best practices, the Government also depends on the CTP to ensure that rules are followed to the letter to be able to Government's revenue target.

"In order to strike a balance between these competing, and sometime conflicting roles, the CTP must be guided by honesty, integrity, independence and impartiality. However, no profession leaves these matters to the conscience or discretion of the practitioner, " he said. He again, posited that where there are no rules, there couldn't be infractions and citing that that is why and how Professional Rules and Practice Guidelines become not only relevant but also compulsory.

He also hinted that the major challenges being faced is how to conduct themselves in situations where there are shades of 'grey' in the course of our professional calling.