FIRS Revolutionizes Tax Payment with *829# USSD Code, Customer Centricity Guide

Samuel Mobolaji

In a bold move to simplify tax processes and enhance customer satisfaction, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a USSD code *829# designed to improve taxpayers’ experience and promote ease of doing business across Nigeria.

This initiative places Nigeria as the sixth African country to adopt USSD technology for tax administration.

The FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, unveiled the new service at the Revenue House in Abuja during this year’s Customer Service Week, themed “Above and Beyond.”

Adedeji highlighted that the code will allow taxpayers to access crucial tax services without internet access, bridging the gap between urban and remote areas, and ensuring tax administration is seamless and accessible to all.

“With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers can now retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verify their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), get information on various tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and make general tax inquiries—all from a simple mobile phone,” Adedeji stated.

He encouraged Nigerians to take full advantage of the service, noting that the initiative reflects FIRS’s dedication to making tax compliance easier, transparent, and efficient.

The USSD service is expected to revolutionize tax interactions by eliminating the need for internet connectivity, thereby increasing accessibility for taxpayers in remote areas. This step marks significant progress in aligning with global best practices in tax administration.

As part of the launch, FIRS also introduced a Customer Centricity Guide, a comprehensive booklet outlining the policies, processes, and principles that will guide the agency’s interactions with taxpayers.

The guide reinforces the idea of putting taxpayers at the heart of service delivery, treating them not merely as clients but as valued partners in national development.

“This guide ensures that every engagement with taxpayers is marked by respect, professionalism, and efficiency,” Adedeji remarked. He emphasized that both the USSD code and the guide reflect a broader culture shift within FIRS towards service excellence and fostering trust between the agency and Nigerian citizens.

The national coordinator of Servicom, Nnenna Akajemeli, praised FIRS’s efforts, acknowledging the significance of these initiatives in improving taxpayer satisfaction. She noted that the launch of the *829# code and the customer-centric guide are clear signs of FIRS’s commitment to enhancing the quality of its service.

Loveth Onanuga, Director of FIRS’s Taxpayers’ Service Department, emphasized the agency’s focus on going beyond basic customer needs to deliver outstanding service. She reiterated that the agency’s commitment to exceeding expectations aligns with this year’s Customer Service Week theme, “Above and Beyond.”

The FIRS’s USSD initiative is poised to set a new standard in tax administration, making tax compliance not just a legal duty but a streamlined and convenient experience for Nigerians across the country.