The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut 34 corporate organisations for failing to remit Personal Income Taxes of their employees and for non-remittance of consumption taxes by operators in the hospitality sector to the state government.
The affected companies included NTS Nigeria Ltd., Med-In Hospital & Pharma Services Ltd., Danvic Petroleum Int’l Ltd., Business Intelligence Technology, Avaya Nigeria Ltd., Gladstone Tech Ltd., Courier Plus Services Ltd., Kurioucity Ltd., Medilag Ventures Ltd., Future Oilfields, and Seven Six & Ten Limited, a statement issued by Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, LIRS Head of Corporate Communications on Tuesday said.
During the operation, 23 hotels, restaurants and Event Centres were also sealed for failure to deduct and remit consumption taxes.
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These businesses included Blitz Suites & Hotel, Offshoroomz Hotel, God’s Grace Hotel, De Orange Place Ltd., De Santos Hotel, Kentade Hotel Limited, Chamcee, Chelsea Suites, Falode Hotels, High Climax Hotel, Chez Moi Apartment, Excellence Hotel, Bereans Venture (Tantalizer Ebute Metta), La Avril Hotel & Suites, De Orange Place Ltd., Milaco Guest House, New World Inn, Model Motels Ltd, Rely Maritime Ltd, 4 Seasons Hotel, Dream Land Hotel, 343 North Restaurant and Lounge, and Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant.
Director of Legal Services of the LIRS, Mr. Seyi Alade, made this announcement while addressing a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise conducted by the Service, on Monday, in Lagos.
Mr. Alade reported that the tax liabilities of these companies and hotels amounted to more than N356.12 million.
He said their actions had caused the state government loss of revenue.
He explained that the agency had previously reduced its enforcement activities to promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers, but that certain companies and hotels chose to engage in tax evasion.
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Therefore, the renewed enforcement activities of the Service are targeted at such companies, restaurants, hotels, and event centres, he said. He emphasized that the primary goal is to secure compliance with the remittance of Consumption and Personal Income taxes, enabling the Lagos State Government to carry out projects intended for the well-being of the vast populace resident in the state.
Mr. Alade further reiterated that “these companies deduct Personal Income taxes from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month, and charge consumption taxes on goods and services purchased by customers.
“Unfortunately, some unpatriotic firms choose to withhold these payments, illegally converting the funds for their own use.”
He issued a warning that failing to file tax returns or engaging in tax evasion are considered criminal offences that may result in financial penalties and, in some cases, custodial sentences upon conviction.
The agency said it was prosecuting some high-net-worth individuals and companies who failed to file their returns.
It said courts had issued bench warrants for some taxpayers in this category and three arrests had been made pursuant to the warrants, and “they are Platinum Apartments & Suites, The Moonlight Place Enterprises and Jezreel Nursery and Primary School”.
He warned that the enforcement exercise shall be a continuous one and it shall be visited on all erring companies, hotels, restaurants, and individuals in the state if they refuse to regularize their tax positions immediately or if they fail to comply with all extant tax laws operational in Lagos State.
