The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has shut down 34 corporate organizations for failing to remit the Personal Income Taxes of their employees.
Some of the companies were also shut for non-remittance of Consumption Taxes by operators in the hospitality sector to the Lagos State Government.
Those shut by the government included 23 hotels and 11 companies across the Lagos metropolis.
Some of the companies include NTS Nigeria Ltd., Med-In Hospital & Pharma Services Ltd., Danvic Petroleum Int’l Ltd., Business Intelligence Technology, Avaya Nigeria Ltd., Gladstone Tech Ltd., Courier Plus Services Ltd., Kurioucity Ltd., Medilag Ventures Ltd., Future Oilfields, and Seven Six & Ten Limited.
Twenty-three hotels, restaurants, and event facilities were also closed for failure to deduct and remit Consumption taxes.
They are Blitz Suites & Hotel, Offshoroomz Hotel, God’s Grace Hotel, De Orange Place Ltd., De Santos Hotel, Kentade Hotel Limited, Chamcee, Chelsea Suites, Falode Hotels, High Climax Hotel, Chez Moi Apartment, Excellence Hotel, Bereans Venture (Tantalizer Ebute Metta), La Avril Hotel & Suites, De Orange Place Ltd., Milaco Guest House, New World Inn, Model Motels Ltd, Rely Maritime Ltd, 4 Seasons Hotel, Dream Land Hotel, 343 North Restaurant and Lounge, and Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant.
Seyi Alade, the Director of Legal Services LIRS, while addressing a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise conducted by the Service in Lagos on Monday, reported that the tax liabilities of these companies and hotels amounted to more than N356.12 million, saying that their actions had caused the State Government loss of revenue.
According to him, the Agency had previously reduced its enforcement activities to promote voluntary compliance by taxpayers.
“However, certain companies and hotels chose to engage in tax evasion. Therefore, the renewed enforcement activities of the Service are targeted at such companies, restaurants, hotels, and event centres,” he said.
He said the primary goal was to secure compliance with the remittance of Consumption and Personal Income taxes, enabling the Lagos State Government to carry out projects intended for the well-being of the vast populace resident in Lagos State.
“These companies deduct Personal Income taxes from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month, and charge consumption taxes on goods and services purchased by customers.
“Unfortunately, some unpatriotic firms choose to withhold these payments, illegally converting the funds for their own use,” Alade said.
Alade warned that failure to file tax returns or engaging in tax evasion are considered criminal offences that might result in financial penalties and, in some cases, custodial sentences upon conviction.
He disclosed that the Agency is currently prosecuting some high-net-worth individuals and companies that failed to file their Returns.
Alade added that the courts had issued Bench Warrants for some taxpayers in this category, saying that three arrests had been made pursuant to these warrants.
He listed them to include Platinum Apartments & Suites, The Moonlight Place Enterprises and Jezreel Nursery and Primary School.
