LIRS gives a 16-day ultimaum for payment of taxes

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) enjoins all taxpayers in Lagos State to be on the right  side of the law and take full advantage of the 16-day grace period from December 1st to 16th, 2016 to remit all overdue taxes/levies and those that would fall due in the month of December in order to avoid prosecution.

The LIRS has in the last few months embarked on massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes, taking Lagos residents and taxpayers through a process of education on the laws bordering on tax administration and the need and benefits of paying taxes as and when due.

In spite of the significant decline in the allocation from the federation accounts, the Lagos State government is still embarking on massive infrastructural development and renewal; these cannot be
achieved if tax payers deliberately refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the State.

Taxpayers are hereby advised to clear all outstanding payments ON OR BEFORE THE 16TH OF DECEMBER 2016, failing which the Lagos State Government will commence criminal prosecution of offenders, with full enforcement through distrain activities in line with relevant provisions
of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 (As amended).

The under listed taxes and levies are expected to be remitted to the Lagos State Government within the grace period:
*    Tax Audit Liability of back years
*    Personal Income Tax (PAYE, Direct Assessment, Self-Assessment)
*    Withholding Tax
*    Hotel Occupancy and Restaurants Consumption Tax
*    Land Use Charge and Ground Rent

According to the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair "LIRS has put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws with effect from December 17, 2016 when the grace period lapses. He has advised all taxpayers to comply, reiterating that the
full weight of the law will be brought to bear on any taxable persons or corporations who fail to remit all taxes/levies due.

The LIRS appreciates and thanks the good people of Lagos State who have continually supported the government by voluntarily paying their taxes promptly and correctly and promises to continue to act within the ambit of the law to prosecute tax evaders.       END

Signed
Monsurat Amasa
Head, Corporate Affairs
Lagos State Internal Revenue Service