Lagos to sanction tax defaulters, issues 16-day ultimatum

The Lagos State government, through the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has threatened to sanction tax defaulters in the state, after the expiration of the 16-day ultimatum given to Lagosians to pay all their outstanding taxes.

LIRS had earlier enjoined all taxpayers in the 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 current month.

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 tax administration laws 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 state government is still embarking on massive infrastructural development and renewal; which, it said, cannot be achieved if tax payers deliberately refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the state.

Reacting to this development, Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair said 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, however, 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,” he pointed out.

Taxpayers, according to him, are hereby advised to clear all outstanding payments on or before 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).