TAX EVASION - NO MORE ALLOWED IN LAGOS STATE!
BE WARNED!
Read the
press statement below...
In consonance with Section 82 of the Personal Income Tax Act (as amended), The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) wishes to formally notify the public of its intention to commence the prosecution of tax evaders and offenders in Lagos State beginning from April 1st, 2016.
Under the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year within 90days from the commencement of every year of assessment (March 31st is the deadline), whilst any employer of labour is required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year. Therefore any taxable person or corporate organization who fails to file their tax returns with LIRS by the stipulated date is in breach of the provisions of the law, which is a criminal offence that is punishable under the tax laws.
The
LIRS, having put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the
enforcement of the tax laws with effect from April 1, 2016 has warned all
erring taxpayers to comply; reiterating that the full weight of the law will be
brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to file requisite returns as
provided by the law.
While
many taxpayers have complied willingly by filing their returns in the last
months, It is disheartening to note that in spite of all efforts by the LIRS, a
large fraction of eligible taxpayers are still not complying, thereby failing
to contribute to the common purse for the common good of all.
In the
wake of little or no proceeds from the federation account, the focus of the
present administration in renewing infrastructure and general development of
the State cannot be achieved by the attitude of those who deliberately refuse
to discharge their civic responsibility to the State.
Without
revenue, all of those things that facilitate our progress as a civilized
community will not materialize, if there are no infrastructural developments
like roads to get to business sites businesses cannot thrive, if we do not have
all the services that government is compelled to offer e.g. security,
education, healthcare, and law and order as it is being proffered by the court
then we cannot make progress collectively.
LIRS has
in the last three months embarked on massive advocacy and enlightenment
programmes, taking people through a process of education on the laws bordering
on tax administration and the need and benefits of paying their taxes as at
when due.
We have
gone further to develop various initiatives to ease the methodology of paying
taxes in Lagos, starting with thesimplification of our tax payment processes,
through the compression of the ‘Tax Form A’ from 6pages to 2 pages,
introduction of new payment platforms, e-submission of annual returns, creation
of the LIRS hotline (0700CALLLIRS) and help desks in all tax stations,
relaxation of requirements for replacement of lost e-TCC among others, all of
which are focused on building convenience into the payment of taxes and
subsequently promoting voluntary compliance.
We are
now going to the next phase, which is enforcement and prosecution, that is
taking full advantage of the provisions of the tax laws to apprehend and
prosecute tax defaulters.
According
to the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo,
‘We have
a robust database that captures all taxable individuals and firms in Lagos
State as well as transactions for the purpose of audit, so there is no hiding
place for any tax evader''. He therefore calls on every taxable person in Lagos
State to take advantage of the window on or before the March 31st deadline to
ensure that his or her tax return has been duly filed.
He added
that The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will through
the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit commence prosecution of tax defaulters in Lagos
State without further notice.
LIRS
however wishes to thank the good people of Lagos State who have continually
supported the administration of His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode through
voluntary and prompt payment of their taxes and reiterate that we will continue
to take full advantage of the provisions of the law to prosecute recalcitrant
corporate organisations and individuals. It is important to note that all tax
evaders and offenders, upon prosecution may be fined or imprisoned or face both
as provided in Section 95, 96 and 97 of the Personal Income Tax Act.
Signed
Monsurat Amasa
Head,
Corporate Affairs
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