Benue State-University Journal of Commercial and Property Law

Abstract

Taxation has been and is still a major source of income for governments tie world over, hence, the popular cliche “taxpayers' money”. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) recognizing the importance of taxation provides that it shall hethe duty of every citizen ... to declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. .” No other direct tax has a broad coverage as the personal Income Tax, vhich is tax, charged on the income of an individual, community, family or income due to a trustee or estate. The Personal income tax, ticrefore, occupies a unique place in the tax scheme given its broad base and suitability for use as an instrument for raising ofrevaue for government and control of disposable income in the hands ofthe citizenry.