The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
has resolved to frozen 6,772 corporate bank accounts of companies for
defaulting on tax payments.
has resolved to frozen 6,772 corporate bank accounts of companies for
defaulting on tax payments.
Mr Babatunde Fowler, executive chairman
of FIRS told Hajia Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, that the agency
has collected N12.66 billion from billionaire tax defaulters in less
than a month.
of FIRS told Hajia Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, that the agency
has collected N12.66 billion from billionaire tax defaulters in less
than a month.
Saying the law empowers FIRS to appoint
banks as tax collection agents, he said: “So, all these ones of TIN and
no pay and no TIN and no pay, to the total of 6772 will have their
accounts frozen or put under substitution pending
when they come forward.
banks as tax collection agents, he said: “So, all these ones of TIN and
no pay and no TIN and no pay, to the total of 6772 will have their
accounts frozen or put under substitution pending
when they come forward.
“First, they refused to come forward in
2016, they refused to come forward under VAT and are still operating
here. So, we are putting them under notice that it is their civic
responsibility to pay tax and to file returns on these
accounts.
2016, they refused to come forward under VAT and are still operating
here. So, we are putting them under notice that it is their civic
responsibility to pay tax and to file returns on these
accounts.
“FIRS wrote to all commercial banks in
May 2018, requesting for a list of companies, partnerships, and
enterprises with a banking turnover of N1 billion and above.
May 2018, requesting for a list of companies, partnerships, and
enterprises with a banking turnover of N1 billion and above.
“This activity is aimed at ascertaining
those companies that are compliant with the Tax Laws and those that are
not compliant. So far, non-compliant organizations have paid about
N12.66bn.”
those companies that are compliant with the Tax Laws and those that are
not compliant. So far, non-compliant organizations have paid about
N12.66bn.”
While commending the FIRS for their work
so far, Ahmed said the ministry of finance will continue to work closely
with the agency.
so far, Ahmed said the ministry of finance will continue to work closely
with the agency.
“For us, the directive I have is to
increase the tax revenue and that is the most important task ahead of
all of us. You have done well. And the reward for good work is more
work,” she said.
increase the tax revenue and that is the most important task ahead of
all of us. You have done well. And the reward for good work is more
work,” she said.
“I am also glad that you are increasing cooperation with several agencies like the EFCC, ICPC and Nigeria Customs Service.
“The effort you are doing in Abuja,
Lagos and Osun –(on payment of taxes on property using their turnover as
a basis for assessment)- is a commendable one and I encourage you to
maintain the tempo in generating tax revenues.’’
Lagos and Osun –(on payment of taxes on property using their turnover as
a basis for assessment)- is a commendable one and I encourage you to
maintain the tempo in generating tax revenues.’’
