Lagos To Institute Stiffer Sanctions Against Tax Evaders, Says LIRS Boss

THE Lagos State Government has said that a new regime of stiffer sanctions may soon be introduced as deterrent to tax evaders as part of measures to fast track payment of taxes in the state, the Chairman, Lagos Internal Revenue Scheme, (LIRS) Babatunde Fowler has said.

Fowler, who spoke in Lagos at a seminar, with the theme, ‘Addressing The Way Forward With The New PITA, 2011,’ organized by Saffron Professional Services, explained that before the sanctions take effect, a letter would have been sent to the tax payer, informing him of his default over a period of time before legal action will be taken after failure to comply.

Meanwhile, all taxpayers who are under a payee will not be arrested because it is expected of an employer to pay taxes belonging to the government, he explained.

“Any tax payer who works under an employer should not border but send a letter indicating where he works before the expiration of the deadline.”

On the new amendment act, Fowler explained that whoever earns less than N300, 000 should be paying one percent, which is N3, 000. He further explained that many unskilled workers are at an advantage with the new act.

In her welcome address, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Saffron Professional Services, Mrs. Adebimpe Balogun said the purpose of the seminar was to educate all taxpayers of their right and to get them acquainted with the new tax act (2011).

“The new act is to encourage all taxpayers to pay their tax as expected without defaulting,” Balogun added.

She however disclosed that the controversial issue on it was the take-off time, which has been creating confusion.

Addressing participants from the legal perspective, a Senior Partner (SPS), Prof. Taofeek Abdulrazaq expressed that taxpayers needed to know the provision of law that guides tax payment and their right as taxpayers.

Participants at the seminar however argued that just as taxpayers are bound by law to pay their taxes; government must also provide necessary amenities to further encourage taxpayers.