Lagos State government has vowed to arraign 28 persons who defaulted in the payment of tax in the state.
This was confirmed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem who
disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos yesterday said that the Rapid Tax
Prosecution Unit has filled all the necessary information at the State High
Court for the arraignment of the individuals described as “recalcitrant tax
payers”.
Kazeem reiterated that the recalcitrant tax payers were referred for prosecution by the Lagos State
Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and that prosecution will begin in earnest.
He
said their offences ranges from failure to furnish and file tax return to
failure to pay personal tax to the State.
He
explained that these offences committed by the tax defaulters violate the
Personal Income Tax Act 2004 as amended and the Lagos State Revenue
Administration law.
If
found guilty, he said they may be fined or imprisoned or made to face both as
provided in the Personal Income Tax Act.
“Under
the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a
return of income for the preceding year within 90 days from the commencement of
every year of assessment (March 31st being the deadline), while every 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 organisation, 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”, Kazeem
stated.
He
explained that the Lagos state Government established the Rapid Tax Prosecution
Unit to aid the LIRS in its drive to collect taxes, and warned members of the public
to cooperate with tax officers as obstruction of these tax officers in their
lawful duty can and will lead to prosecution.
Lagos
Attorney General said the enforcement of the tax laws became necessary because
a large number of Lagosians have not paid their taxes.
