By Tope Musowo
Lagos
Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) yesterday sealed up six companies for non remittance of taxes due to the state government totalling over N50 million.
The defaulting companies are Nicon Town Management Company with a tax liability of N36,053,652.89, Marketing Mix and Company Limited with a liability of N10,712,914.15, Hope Valley International Clinic with a liability of 2,389,885.28, BEC Consultants Nigeria Limited with a tax liability of N792,563.47, Goldmine Global Services Limited owing N505,812.73 and Brown Brommel Limited with a liability of N368,159.63) owed the Lagos state government money for periods ranging from one to five years (2007 to 2012).
A statement signed by the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr Olufolarin
Ogunsanwo, said the companies were sealed in pursuant to the provisions of Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2004 LFN (as amended in 2011) and would not be re-opened for business until all unremitted taxes are paid to the state government.
He also warned defaulting companies, especially employers of labour that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had zero tolerance for tax evasion, adding that LIRS is set to begin criminal prosecution of all tax defaulters in Lagos State to ensure that culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law.
The LIRS boss said under the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year at the expiration of 90 days from the commencement of every year of assessment, whilst any employer of labour was required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year.
