TWENTY-EIGHT persons are being tried by Lagos State Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit for allegedly defaulting in tax payment.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Adeniji Kazeem said yesterday that the suspect referred by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), are being tried at the high court.
He said their offences ranged from failure to furnish and file tax return to failure to pay personal tax.
The offences, he said, violated the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 as amended and the Lagos State Revenue Administration law.
“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, that 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 said.
He said the Lagos State Government established the unit to aid the LIRS in its drive to collect taxes. The commissioner urged the public to cooperate with tax officers to avoid prosecution.
Kazeem said the enforcement of the tax laws became necessary because many Lagosians have not paid their taxes.
He said tax evaders and offenders, upon prosecution, may be fined or imprisoned or made to face both punishments as stipulated in the Personal Income Tax Act.
