In what appeared to be a major raid during the week, the Federal Inland Revenue Service sealed off some tax-defaulting companies in Abuja.
According to a report from Punch, the following companies were visited by the FIRS enforcement team led by Zubairu Usman.
Affected Companies in Abuja
Dayak Nigeria Limited, located at Idu Industrial Layout in Area One part of Abuja. The company was alleged to be owing a VAT liability of N41,535,829.47 between 2013 and 2016.
The enforcement team could not locate R.T Communications, with an alleged tax liability of N106,408,475.00 at its registered address
During the raid, Ceezali Limited, located at Thaba Tseka Street, which was thought to owe N14,603,941.00, presented evidence of payment and was not sealed.
Affected Companies in Lagos
In a similar event earlier the FIRS had shut some companies in Lagos for allegedly defaulting on tax.
Ace Products and Services Limited located at 20, Sanni Ashimu Close, Ologun Bus stop, Awoyaya, Lagos, over an alleged tax debt of N157.562m.
On Tuesday, the team sealed off Finchglow Travels Agency at 25, Ademola Street, Ikoyi, Lagos, over an alleged tax debt of N30.553m.
Other firms sealed include Westcom Technologies at 18 A, Onikepo Akande Street, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, which reportedly owed N25.978m; and Globasure Technologies Limited at Plot 10B2, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, which was also said to owe N34.572m in tax debt.
Affected Companies in Port Harcourt
Same thing also took place in Port Harcourt where Charcoal and Spices Restaurant Limited, GRA, Port Harcourt; and Cioscon Nigerian Limited of 14 Aba Road, Port Harcourt were also sealed up.
Charcoal and Spices Restaurant Limited allegedly owed N12,388,979.50, while Cioscon Nigeria Limited was said to have a tax liability of N479,203,464.43 from 2014 to 2016, which it had allegedly failed to remit.
The defaulting firms’ premises were to be unsealed when they cleared their outstanding tax bills.
This crackdown of tax defaulters came after the tax amnesty programme was launched early this month by the FGN.
Recall that the Federal Government had recently introduced a nine (9) month tax amnesty programme (VAIDS) for tax defaulters. It is a window of opportunity to allow taxpayers who are owing taxes to voluntarily declare their Asset and Income from within and outside Nigeria, and pay taxes due on them.
