IMPACT OF TAX REFORMS ON REVENUE PERFORMANCE OF FEDERAL INLAND REVENUE SERVICE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

Global tax revenue performance has been falling steadily for the past two decades which have
forced both developed and developing countries to embark on tax reforms with a view of enhancing
revenue performance. However, studies to determine the impact of the tax reforms are scarce. This
study examines the impact of tax reforms introduced in 2007 on the revenue performance of the
Federal Inland Revenue Service of Nigeria. The main objective of the study is to assess the impact
of the reform on tax revenue of FIRS. The ex-post factor research design is employed because
secondary data were used. Secondary data spanning twenty- four years was collected and
analysed using dependent sample t-test to benchmark the revenue performance before (1995-2006)
and after (2007- 2018) the reform. The result shows revenue performance after the reforms was
statistically significant and higher than the revenue performance before the tax reform. The study
recommends that the reforms should be sustained.