Nigerians have been reacting to the circular from the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, to taxpayers over payment of taxes.
The circular, which was an update on palliative measures to cushion the effect of covid-19 on taxpayers, asked corporate organizations in some sectors of the economy to consider making payment of their annual returns earlier than the due date apart from their normal monthly obligations.
According to the circular, the Executive Chairman said, ‘’I wish to specially make an appeal to corporate bodies in the sectors above to go the extra mile at this time to cooperate with us in making special arrangements to pay their taxes. They may consider, for instance, a situation where they can commence payment of their annual returns earlier than the due date apart from their normal monthly obligations.’’
‘’This has become necessary in order to ease some of the cash flow gaps being experienced by the government at this critical time’’.
Some Nigerians took to Twitter to expressed their anger as they believe the government is insensitive to what Nigerians and businesses are going through.
A tweeter user was unhappy as the government is using FIRS to tax companies that are barely surviving.
https://twitter.com/Naijadailyfeedx/status/1254035187912134656
Ayo Bankole, was wondering if we are ok in this country and advised Nigerians not to read the statement by the FIRS Chairman.
Don’t bother reading this if you’re looking for anything on palliatives. The summary is FIRS concluded on its own w/o waiting for official data, that some sectors are experiencing a boom & therefore want to COLLECT TAXES before due date. You’re wondering if we are ok? We are not. https://t.co/CFtHM93agn
— Ayò-Bánkólé AkÃntújoyè (@AyoBankole) April 25, 2020
Another tweeter user wanted the government to explain how some of those sectors can boom in a locked-down economy.
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The 'whole' country is on lockdown. And most businesses are closed. Can the #firs explain to us, in plain Caesar's words, how a 'locked-down' economy translates to 'boom' to, for example, financial institutions?
— Nwanneka_Okoro (@obininwanneka) April 25, 2020
Dr, Olawale, was expecting FIRS to give tax cuts at this period rather than ask for the tax to be paid before the due date.
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One would expect the FIRS to give them tax cuts so that Telecoms can slash the prices of data and other services, which is in high demand at the moment, directly bringing relief to the Nigerian citizen.
But then, I hardly expect most Nigerian Parastatals to have sense. https://t.co/pT9lZCSEai
— Dr. Olawale Ogunlana (@olawalesmd) April 25, 2020
Another tweeter user said that government on their own has already determined that businesses are experiencing a boom.
Buhari's FIRS on it own determined that business are "experiencing boom" during a pandemic and then went ahead to ask for taxes to be paid EARLY, based on the figment of it's own imagination.
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!
— Ikenna Nzimora (@ronaldnzimora) April 25, 2020
However, some Nigerians feel differently. They agree that some sectors are enjoying a boom due to the coronavirus lockdown.
A tweeter user Obinna Nwosu, feels that the Telcos and Nigerian banks are making a huge profit and so should pay the tax.
Nigerian Banks and Telcos are reporting huge profits in Q1 2020. Presently, we all buy recharge card from our banks, they have collected d commision of "daily bread" sellers sitting hungry at home due to COVID-19. FIRS should go and collect taxes from Banks and Telcos cashing out pic.twitter.com/ve2GjRUvXT
— Obinna Nwosu (@obi_Nwosu) April 25, 2020
A tweeter user, Dr Thompson Udenwa, is not happy with people’s negative reaction towards FIRS move, as he believes some of those sectors are making a lot of money.
I am so pissed off right now. To think that some are angry with FIRS! Telecommunications companies are making a kill right now: more phone calls, more data purchases, as people use their devices more during the pandemic. Is it wrong to as them to pay their taxes? Common pic.twitter.com/RwTCE0LKB6
— Dr. Thompson Udenwa (@TomUdenwa) April 25, 2020
But your banks have just recently announced billions of naira profit returns on their businesses and i think thats why the FIRS has asked for their taxes and not from other general companies.
So please tell the banks to pay to FIRS.
Let the banks give what is Ceaser to Ceaser.
FIRS Chmn has just displayed his dearth of knowledge of taxation. He should tell all Nigerians his own definition of economic boom.
Not until we learn to put square peg in a square hole, Nigeria will continue drifting aimlessly with this bunch of lunnies parading themselves as professionals. So disgusting
This shows the kind of people that are hand picked to lead us. The vat that mtn and co steals from every call is not enough for them, the vat they get from that inter bank transfer not enough etc. When the whole world is relaxing taxes they are here killing the economy. A boy of 21 in Somalia just invented a ventilator. In Nigeria, many young stars With inventive skill are never encouraged in as much as they are not from his them and they cannot make it a white elephant project. I thought that this govt that is full of wonders will begin to look inward to start manufacturing our own PPEs medically going by he happenings in the world that we cannot entrust our health system in the hands of Chinese. But our only area of specialisation is corruption. Father in Heaven, if our sins have made you to sell us to this insensitive govt looking for loans in every nook and cranny of world, pls, Sir, deliver us Nigerians from them. Amen