The Neighbourhood Initiative for Women Advancement (NIWA), has called for gender-responsive implementation of the new tax reform laws recently signed by President Bola Tinubu.
The organisation made the call in a statement issued on Monday in Abakaliki, at the end of its sensitisation workshop for women in agribusiness and small-holder enterprises in Ebonyi where it also hosts the Ebonyi State Tax Justice and Governance Platform (EBSTJGP).
The statement which was made available to journalists on Monday in Abakaliki was signed by Ms Nancy Humphrey, NIWA’s Executive Director.
NIWA, a non-governmental organisation focused on women and youth empowerment commended the new tax law for prioritising small businesses and exempting them from payment of some categories of taxes.
It commended aspects of the legislation that offered relief to small businesses.
It particularly highlighted the provision that exempted companies with an annual turnover of ₦50 million or less from Companies Income Tax; Capital Gains Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax and the new Development Levy.
Humphrey noted that the exemption threshold, increased from ₦25 million, would ease compliance burdens and promote growth among small businesses, many of which were women-led enterprises.
However, the organisation expressed concern that the laws did not sufficiently address the specific needs of women-led enterprises, especially those operating in the informal sector.
“While the reforms aim to be progressive, they lack targeted measures such as tax credits or waivers for women-owned businesses,” the statement said.
NIWA also acknowledged the reform’s equity provisions, including the exemption of individuals earning ₦800,000 or less annually from personal income tax and the continued zero VAT on essential goods like food and medicine.
It said such provisions would help protect low-income earners, rural households and women from the adverse effects of indirect taxation.
The organisation, however, raised concerns about the newly introduced 20 per cent Rent Tax, warning that it might disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including female-headed households and informal renters.
NIWA urged relevant authorities and development partners to ensure that the reforms were implemented in a way that was inclusive and equitable.
“As a grassroots-focused organisation, we will continue to engage stakeholders to ensure transparent and fair implementation of tax policies that support women’s economic participation,” the statement added. ENDS//
