5 Powers of the Service

(1) The Service shall have power to:

(a) in consultation with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the State Government, assess all persons chargeable with any tax in the State;

(b) collect, recover and pay to the designated account any tax, levy or other revenue howsoever, due to the State Government under this Bill or any other enactment;

(c) account for and enforce payment of due taxes or other revenue;

(d) in collaboration with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, review the tax regime and promote the application of tax revenues to stimulate economic activities and development;

(e) in collaboration with the relevant law enforcement agencies, carry out the examination and investigation of all cases of revenue fraud or evasion with a view to ensuring compliance with the provisions of this Bill or any other relevant enactment;

(f) make, from time to time, a determination of the extent of financial loss and such other losses by government arising from revenue fraud or evasion and such other losses (or revenue foregone) arising from revenue waivers and other related matters;

(g) adopt measures to identify, trace, freeze, confiscate or seize the proceeds of revenue fraud or evasion;

(h) adopt measures which include compliance, enforcement and regulatory actions as well as introduction and maintenance of investigative and control techniques for the detection and prevention of non-compliance;

(i) collaborate and facilitate rapid exchange of scientific and technical information with relevant national or international agencies or bodies on revenue matters;

(j) undertake exchange of personnel or other experts with complementary agencies for purposes of comparative experience and capacity building;

(k) establish and maintain a system for monitoring the dynamics of taxation or other forms of revenue generation in order to identify suspicious transactions and the persons involved;

(l) provide and maintain access to an up-to-date adequate data and information on all taxable persons, individuals or corporations, and real property for the purpose of efficient, effective and correct tax administration and to prevent tax evasion or fraud;

(m) maintain database, statistics, records and reports on persons, organizations, proceeds, properties, documents or other items of assets relating to revenue waivers, fraud or evasion;

(n) undertake and support research and similar measures with a view to stimulating economic development and determining the manifestation, extent, magnitude and effects of revenue fraud, evasion and other matters that affect effective revenue administration and make recommendations to the government on appropriate intervention and preventive measures;

(o) collate and keep under review all policies of the State Government relating to taxation and other forms of revenue generation and undertake a systematic and progressive implementation of such policies;

(p) maintain a liaison with the Office of the Attorney-General of the State, all Government's security and law Enforcement Agencies and such other financial supervisory institutions in the enforcement and eradication of tax and other revenue related offences;

(q) issue Taxpayer Identification Number to every person taxable in the State or otherwise obligated to pay tax in the State;

(r) from time to time specify the form of Returns, Claims, Statements and Notices necessary for the due administration of the powers conferred on it by this Bill or any other enactment;

(s) carry out and sustain public awareness and enlightenment campaigns on the benefits of revenue compliance within the State; and

(t) carry out such other activities as are necessary or expedient for the full discharge of all or any of the functions prescribed under this Bill.

(2) Except with the approval of the State House of Assembly upon application by the Service made through the Governor no revenue established by any Law of the State shall be waived.