Stakeholders have warned that the country’s tax system has been identified as the major challenges affecting the growth of companies operating in Nigeria and preventing the entrance of new ones.

Specially the General Secretary, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr Adebayo Adeleke, said that capital market investors are not happy with the tax policy of Nigeria, and that they have complained to the government that they are overtaxed.“As investors, we would be taxed for stamp duties on secondary market transactions and on withholding tax on dividend. It is a multiplicity of taxes on investment securities which can hinder the growth of the capital market,” he said.

He encouraged the government to abolish stamp duties and as well reduce withholding tax on dividend considering the meltdown in the capital market.

A market analyst who spore under anonymity noted that it is the duty of the companies to pay tax in support of the government in its performance of social responsibility in the society. However the degree of taxation in a system propels incentive or disincentive depending on the administration of taxation of government, he said.

This, he said, if improperly administered, become multiplied as is being experienced in the country now.

He explained that it is the duty of companies to render economic services while the government has a responsibility to render social services, and added that the way government imposes multiple taxation on the productive sector  the economy has become a disincentive.

He stated that many countries of the world have continued to refine their tax laws to make them more investor- friendly. He suggested the same to the Nigeria government as a way to encourage more quality companies to seek quotation on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

The Managing Director of Laksworth investment & Securities Limited, Mr Kayode Awotile, pointed out the multiple tax system has affected industries profitability as well as returns on investment. He therefore, called on the federal government to reduce the 10 per cent withholding tax on dividend and the corporate tax.

Awotile pointed out that tax incentives would encourage new companies to invest in Nigeria as well as impact positively on performance of the existing ones. He urged the government to hasten the revival of the power sector and ensure constant power supply, noting that most companies depend wholly on generators for daily activities.