Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has advocated a minimum of 15 years jail term for those who embezzle government revenue or fail to apply tax payers’ money to provide goods and services to people.

Speaking at the third quarterly meeting of the institute in Ilorin, on Thursday, the CITN president, Chief McAnthony Dike, said corruption among tax administrators in the country discouraged people from paying taxes.

“No amount of preaching can increase tax compliance and payment unless people see physical evidence that the money that had been paid is being utilised. Also, Nigerians do not pay appropriate tax. Everyone wants to cheat with the excuse that everyone is doing it. But we should do what is right,” he said.

The CITN boss, who also said government at all levels should develop zero tolerance for those who did not show fidelity to payment of taxes, added that government should not cohabit with people who had not showed evidence of tax payment.

Chief Dike said government should also examine tax clearance certificate of those vying for elective political positions in the country, adding that, “not just that they pay tax, they pay adequately. Why should people use instrumentality of the law to circumvent proper conduct in a civilised society?”

Talking on some members of the association who get involved in collaborating with organisations or government agencies to perpetuate tax corruption, the CITN boss said professional conduct and ethics were available to sanction such members.

Also speaking, the Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Nurudeen Banu, said the present administration had worked with tax experts to improve its internally generated revenue as a way to sustain the tempo of development activities in the state.