The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), through its National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC), has called for the implementation of a balanced, transparent, and business-friendly tax regime capable of promoting economic growth while protecting businesses, particularly Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), from excessive compliance burdens.The call was made on Tuesday during a high-level roundtable on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, themed “Tax Reality: Ripple Effects on Industry and Commerce,” which brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, the organised private sector, taxation bodies, and the wider business community.The forum examined the implications of major tax reform legislation, including the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.Delivering the keynote address, the Second Deputy President of ACCI and Chairman of NPAC, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, acknowledged the government’s efforts to modernize tax administration and harmonize tax processes but stressed that successful implementation must take into account the difficult operating environment confronting businesses across Nigeria.According to him, Nigerian enterprises continue to face mounting challenges, including inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility, rising energy costs, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, multiple taxation, and limited access to affordable financing.He warned that reforms which increase compliance obligations without addressing these broader structural constraints could undermine business competitiveness, discourage investment, and ultimately shrink the country’s tax base.Dr. Hong emphasized that taxation should serve as a tool for enterprise development, industrialization, investment attraction, and job creation rather than becoming a burden on productive businesses.“No economy can tax businesses into prosperity,” he stated, underscoring the need for policies that encourage growth while ensuring sustainable revenue generation for government.In his welcome address, ACCI Director-General, Agabaidu Jideani, described the engagement as part of the Chamber’s ongoing commitment to policy advocacy, stakeholder education, and constructive economic dialogue.He explained that the roundtable was designed to improve public understanding of the new tax framework, address misconceptions surrounding the reforms, and provide businesses with practical insights into the opportunities, realities, and compliance requirements under the emerging tax regime.Jideani also highlighted the contributions of several specialized institutions operating under the Chamber, including the ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre (BEST Centre), the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre, the Abuja Trade Centre, and NPAC, noting that they continue to play strategic roles in enterprise development and economic advancement.Providing expert analysis on the topic, “MSMEs and the Vulnerable, Exemptions, Reliefs and No Burden Assurances: The Tax Reform Acts in Perspective,” renowned tax expert and 17th President and Chairman-in-Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, described taxation as both a civic responsibility and a critical instrument for strengthening trust between citizens and government.Ohagwa explained that the new reforms contain targeted incentives designed to reduce the burden on small businesses and vulnerable groups. He noted that companies with annual gross turnover not exceeding ₦100 million and fixed assets below ₦250 million would qualify for significant tax exemptions and reliefs.Under the provisions of the reforms, qualifying small companies are expected to benefit from zero Companies Income Tax, exemption from Development Levy, relief from Value Added Tax obligations, withholding tax requirements, and certain Capital Gains Tax liabilities beginning January 1, 2026.Speaking on behalf of NPAC, Executive Director Dr. Chidiebere Onwumere urged businesses to focus on understanding and adapting to the new tax regime rather than continuing debates over the reforms.He said the centre is actively supporting businesses through stakeholder engagement, identifying ambiguous provisions within the legislation, facilitating discussions with tax authorities, and developing practical compliance guides tailored to different sectors of the economy.According to him, NPAC is also exploring legal relief mechanisms where necessary while maintaining constructive engagement with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to ensure smoother implementation of the reforms.