Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) just tapped Xpress Payment Solutions as another collection agent under the Treasury Single Account (TSA). This means taxpayers using the FIRS TaxPro Max portal gain another avenue to pay their dues. Users can now select Xpress Payments to remit taxes. They can use XpressPay, the company’s online gateway, or use bank branches via its e-Cashier platform.

The remit includes big-ticket statutory payments: Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), Withholding Tax (WHT), and other FIRS-related payments.

It’s worth clarifying what this isn’t. This move is separate from e-Tranzact’s role in e-invoicing. E-Tranzact validates transaction-level documentation. They help FIRS follow taxable transactions in real-time and curb revenue leakages. Xpress Payments is about collecting payments, not validating documents.

We also need to keep Remita in mind. SystemSpecs’ Remita has been a primary payment rail since the TSA’s inception back in 2012. The arrival of Xpress Payments doesn’t displace Remita. Instead, the move offers taxpayers using TaxPro Max more choices. That’s useful, especially for those seeking options besides the established channels.

Xpress Payments’ Acting Managing Director, Wale Olayisade, says they’re ready. They claim to have the infrastructure to handle the volume and sensitivity of tax collections. Payments can be done digitally or in person at banks.

Incorporated in 2016, Xpress Payment Solutions plays in electronic collections, bill payments, and disbursements. They’re a licensed Payment Terminal Service Provider (PTSP). They also offer switching and transaction-processing for banks and businesses.

Given these facts, what does this all mean? One more option for taxpayers is always welcome, particularly as the FIRS keeps updating its tech. Still, the crucial question now is: How will Xpress Payments differentiate itself and provide better user experiences, reliability and pricing when competing with Remita and other existing payment solutions? Only time will tell, but more competition in tax payments is likely a good sign for everyone.

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Keywords: FIRS TaxPro Max, Xpress Payments, TSA collection agent, Nigeria tax payments, Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Withholding Tax, Remita alternative