Tension is rising in Anambra State as officials from the state's Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) embark on a shop-to-shop enforcement in Awka, compelling traders to make immediate cash tax payments.
Accompanied by stern-looking
individuals, the officials assert that prior notices had been dispatched to all
traders. In the bustling Aroma area of the state capital, some business
operators hastily shut their shops, while those caught unprepared were obliged
to make on-the-spot cash payments, determined by the contents of their shops as
assessed by the enforcement team.
Numerous traders claim they
never received any notification regarding tax returns, contrary to the
assertions made by the enforcement team. Angela, a petty trader, expressed
surprise when the team approached her salesgirl, demanding proof of annual tax
returns.
"They came and started
looking around and after a while, told me that I should pay N75,000 instantly
as that is the amount of tax my shop is worth. Look at what I have on this
shop, does it worth paying tax of that amount?" she exclaimed. "They
did not provide an account number in which to pay the money, neither did they
issue me a receipt after collecting N35,000 from me after my pleading. They
later dropped a notice which ought to have been sent earlier but wasn’t
sent."
Angela emphasized that she had
been consistently paying levies demanded by the state government for operating
the shop, expressing surprise at the characterization of this particular payment
as annual tax returns. She also questioned whether the funds collected by the
enforcement team would genuinely contribute to government coffers or end up in
private pockets.
The notice she received,
serving as a receipt after the cash collection, featured a handwritten
statement reading "paid on enforcement." The document, titled 'Court
Prosecution Notice' and signed by P.C. Oduche, Zonal Tax Head, Anambra Central,
stated: "We write to inform you of your failure to file your annual tax
returns as required by Section 41(3) of the Personal Income Tax Act 2021 (as
amended) within 90 days from the commencement of every year assessment and to
honor the notice of invitation and the best of judgment assessment already
served on you.
“Take note that Anambra State
Internal Revenue Service shall institute legal proceedings against you after
seven days of service of this notice pursuant to Section 94 of Personal Income
Tax Act and Section 69 of Anambra State Revenue Administration Law, 2010.
”Take further notice that the
outstanding tax liabilities for which you are to be prosecuted is N. …. for –
years."
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