Lagos commences prosecution of 28 tax offenders

Justice, signed by the Chief Public Affairs
officer, in Lagos state, Bola Akingbade.
The Lagos State Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit has
begun prosecution of recalcitrant tax payers in
the State.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner
for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem who disclosed
this on Monday, said that The Rapid Tax
Prosecution Unit has filled all the necessary
information at the State High Court for the
arraignment of 28 tax defaulters referred by the
Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) and
prosecution has begun in earnest.
He said their offences ranges from failure to
furnish and file tax return to failure to pay
personal tax to the State.
The Lagos AG said that these offences violate
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
organization, who 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 that the Lagos State Government
established the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit to
aid the LIRS in its drive to collect taxes, and
warned members of the public to cooperate with
tax officers as obstruction of these tax officers
in their lawful duty can and will lead to
prosecution.
Kazeem said the enforcement of the tax laws
became necessary because a large number of
Lagosians have not paid their taxes.
He said tax evaders and offenders, upon
prosecution, may be fined or imprisoned or
made to face both as provided in the Personal
Income Tax Act.