NLNG clinches third FIRS most compliant taxpayer award - ITREALMS

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Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has once again been recognized by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as the Most Compliant Taxpayer in corporate Nigeria, securing the prestigious award for the third time in recent years and setting the national standard for responsible tax behaviour, reports ITREALMS.

This significant honour, ITREALMS gathered, comes under the FIRS Compliant Taxpayer Award and Recognition Programme, an initiative of the Taxpayer Services Department (TPSD), which is aimed at acknowledging organizations that demonstrate outstanding diligence and transparency in meeting their tax obligations. 

Falana/Citadel vs Zinox: FIRS document shows Benjamin Joseph lied under oath by Tolu Aderemi-Cole - ITREALMS

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As the case between Citadel Oracle Concept Limited and Zinox Technologies returns to court, a document from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has put a lie to the claim under oath by Benjamin Joseph, CEO of Citadel, that he was not aware of the contract executed by his company at FIRS.

It will be recalled that Joseph, in his statement on oath in suit No: LD/4335/2014 in the High Court of Justice, Lagos State, dated 28th June, 2019, averred that his company, Citadel, did not execute any contract with FIRS and that he was not aware that a contract had been awarded to Citadel.

NLNG receives FIRS’ most compliant taxpayer award - ITREALMS

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The NLNG has received the prestigious award of Most Compliant Taxpayer by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) at the 2024 FIRS Day, which took place during the Lagos International Trade Fair, reports ITREALMS.

This recognition is part of the FIRS Compliant Taxpayer Award and Recognition Programme, designed to acknowledge companies that consistently meet their tax obligations, contributing to the development of Nigeria’s economy.

NNPCL, NLNG, FIRS, Delta, Lagos, TotalEnergies, Osun, JAMB, T-Pumpy, others partner GOCOP'24 confab - ITREALMS

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More sponsors have supported the hosting of the eighth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) from October 2 to October 3, in Lokoja, Kogi State. Leading the pack of sponsors are the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Delta and Lagos State governments, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Other sponsors are the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and T-Pumpy Concept Limited.

Danlami Nmodu, 2024 Conference Planning Committee, chairman, confirmed this in a press statement by Sir Remmy Nweke, GOCOP publicity secretary, recalled that the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Emadeb Group and Dangote Group had earlier pledged their support for the event.

$27.5m: NLNG clarifies 2016 Corporate Income Tax payment to FIRS - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has reacted to recent media reports on Tax Appeal Tribunal which advertently ordered the company to pay the sum of $27.5 million, about N38,665,000,000.00, reports ITREALMS.

NLNG in a press statement available to ITREALMS by the General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh noted the media reports which suggested that a Tax Appeal Tribunal ordered the company to pay the sum of $27.5 million to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) as a revised Company Income Tax (CIT) settlement for 2016.

NCC, FIRS joint revenue quality assurance committee for telecoms debuts

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) recently set up a joint Revenue Quality Assurance Committee for the telecommunications sector, just as plans have been advanced for the inaugural meeting this week, reports ITRealms.

This, ITRealms authoritatively gathered, formed the highpoint of the discussions between Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and FIRS Chairman, Mr. Babatunde Fowler after a recent courtesy visit of Fowler to the NCC Headquarters.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, noted that specifically, the joint committee with four members each from the two organisations is to examine and suggest ways through which the level of transparency can be attained via technology in tax management for FIRS and the returns from Annual Operating Levy (AOL) for the NCC.

He also said that the committee should see how staff matters including payments are addressed, just as to audit the states and proffer what benefits are accruable to them in terms of taxes collected.

“It is expected to work out a recommendation to facilitate the Type Approval of telecommunications equipment that can be used for a transparent assessment of the operators revenues,” he said.

ITRealms recalled that Prof. Danbatta had told his visitor during the visit that NCC has serious concerns over the shutting down of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the States indiscriminately without recourse to the Commission.

“This is worrisome as it undermines the capacity to provide telecom services, thereby denying consumers quality of services” he said.

The EVC cited the Resolution of the National Economic Council on Multiple Taxation, Levies and Charges on ICT Infrastructure in Nigeria dated March 21, 2013 saying the document is very clear on the issues of multiple taxations, levies, Right of Ways (RoWs) among others.

Danbatta pleaded with the FIRS Chairman “to help us propagate the provisions of the policy to the Joint Tax Board (JTB)”.

The FIRS boss had earlier narrated his worries over the taxes being collected from MNOs in the States.

Mr. Fowler said his concerns stem from the fact that MNOs do not remit the Value Added Tax (VAT) already charged as at when due, “while some decide when they will remit it but the law stipulates that such taxes must be remitted to the FIRS between 20/21 of each month. Some too have not fulfilled the annual returns”, he added.

In an earlier working document sent to the Commission, the FIRS had requested the permission of NCC to connect its equipment to the MNOs networks for a direct interface to which Prof. Danbatta responded that such equipment must go through the Type Approval process.

Danbatta however said that the NCC sees collaboration with the FIRS as a decision in the right direction.

This underscores what Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari said recently about the collaboration of inter-governmental agencies which saw to the timely completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja ahead of the time schedule.

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FIRS offers 45-day special window to tax offenders of 3yrs

ITRealms:

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has offered 45-day special window to corporate organisations to settle their  tax indebtedness from 2013 to 2015, reports ITRealms.

A public notice endorsed by the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Tunde Fowler, and made available to ITRealms, informed this waiver of penalty and interest on tax liabilities within the period under review.

Fowler also said the waiver is to promote voluntary compliance and shield taxpayers from the burden of carrying forward old tax liabiltieis arising from penalty and interest, hence FIRS in exercise of its powers under Section 85 (3) of the Companies Income Tax Act CAP C21 LFN 2007 as amended and replicated in Section 32 (3) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act (FIRSEA 2007).

“… Hereby invites all principal officers, especially chairman, managing directors, chief executive officers, executive and non-executive directors, chief financial officers and all company owners or their representatives, to take advantage of a Special Window to avoid payment of penalty and interest on tax due between 2013-2015,” Fowler said.

According to him, FIRS by this public notice, will grant a pardon stretching back to three years, between 2013 and 2015 to all tax payers in default, provided that such defaulting tax payers, come forward to declare their indebtedness within the 45-day window.

In addition, he said, the tax payers are expected to present a payment plan on the outstanding principal tax liability acceptable to the Federal Board of Inland Revenue.

“That this Special Window will be opened for 45 days only, commencing 5th October 2016 terminating 24th November 2016,” he said, stressing that this waiver relates only to accumulated penalty and interest and not principal tax due.

As said by him, based on this waiver, part payment or full payment of undisputed tax liabilities should be paid, while the balance could be paid instalmentally, just as it is expected that a reasonable amount of not less than 25 per cent should be paid on account.

“By this public notice, FIRS invites tax payers who have not been fulfilling their statutory tax obligations, to take advantage of this special window, failing which all legal means at the disposal of the FIRS will be deployed including criminal prosecution of board and management of defaulting orgaanisations,” Fowler said.

Applicants, he explained, who want to take advantage of this special window should forward their applications to FIRS headquarters in Abuja.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 
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FCC investigates FIRS over secret recruitment

ITRealms:

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) has commenced investigations of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) over secret recruitment of five directors, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to reports of the secret recruitment, the acting executive chairman of FCC, Shettima Bukar-Abba, confirmed, saying his office is investigating the alleged secret recruitment of senior staff in director levels.

“I am investigating FIRS. I have never seen anything from FIRS since I came in two months ago. But I also learnt they are recruiting,” he was quoted as revealing to newsmen.

He also pointed out that FIRS has been summoned by the National Assembly because of the same 'complaints from the people.'

Bukar-Abba further said that FCC as part of the investigation is putting up a committee to specifically handle this allegation.

“I am just trying to put in place a committee so that they will carry out the investigation,” Bukar-Abba reassured.

ITRealms notes that part of policy shift, FCC recently said it will now searchlight recruitments in federal institutions and its affiliates.

ITRealms recalls that since inception in 1996, the Federal Character Commission (FCC) saddled itself with observing recruitment exercise to allow MDAs willingly apply the approved guidelines and formulae in the staff distribution amongst the States of the Federation.

This observer status, ITRealms, has to a large extent prevented officials of the Commission to interfere in the proceeding of the exercise even when the wrong things were observed to be done ab initio.

“It is in the realisation of this fact, that the Plenary of the Commission at its 231st session held on Wednesday 13th August, 2014 overwhelmingly endorsed a reversal of the policy to the effect that hencefoth, officials of the Commission at any recruitment exercise will monitor the exercise and ensure that the processes leading to, the recruitment exercise itself, the eventual selection of successful candidates substantially comply with the approved guidelines and formulae for Recruitment duty shall be addressed as Monitors and they shall have all the the rights and priviledges to monitor recruitment exercises within the context of the approved guidelines," FCC said.

Similarly, ITRealms reports, the plenary also accepted the presidential directive conveyed by the SGF on the 22nd of July, 2014 that (a) No Public service recruitment should be contracted out to consulting firm; and (b) No applicant should be requested/made to pay any fee for any employment. 

This is in addition to enforcing the Federal Character principles aimed at ensuring fair and equitable distribution of posts and socio-economic amenities, infrastructural facilities amongst the federating units nationwide.

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Buhari orders audit of NCC, CBN, FIRS, others

ITRealms:

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he has ordered a complete audit of the nation’s revenue generating agencies including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) as well as the Nigerian Customs and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), ITRealms reports.

Buhari in his national day address to Nigerians noted that in the last few years the nation has seen how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted, stressing that the “new APC government is embarking on a clean-up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.”

He also said that “October 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.”

This, ITRealms reports, forms part of the President’s Independence Anniversary speech to Nigerians:

“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

“My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections.

“And since then, as you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

“Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.

“That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places. On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost-effective way.

“In the meantime, improvement in the power situation is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

“Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.

“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

“Prudent house-keeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources that is important.”

ITRealms learnt Buhari advised for Nigerians, ”there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handover notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over.

“Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the handover notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance,” he said.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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FIRS, mitigating drop in oil revenue with ITAS – Ogungbesan

ITRealms:

The Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Sunday S. Ogungbesan has said that the agency is mitigating drop in oil revenue with its Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).

He revealed this to ITRealms at a media roundtable in Lagos, last weekend, saying that FIRS is implementing various initiatives aimed at mitigating the drop in government revenue occasioned by fall in global oil prices.

These initiatives, Ogungbesan said, have been structured along the broad areas of automation, process improvement and capacity building.

As such, he said, the initiatives include automation of the system through the introduction of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS). 

“ITAS automates core tax administration processes and enables online interface between FIRS and taxpayers,” he said.

According to him, automation of taxpayer registration resulted in issuance of Tax Identification Number (TIN) to about 1,189,722 corporate and individual taxpayers as at July, 2015.

On the Value Added Tax (VAT) collection system, the acting chairman told ITRealms that the automation system faciliates tracking and remittance of Value Added Tax from key sectors.

E-tax payment platform, he said, is online electronic system of tax payment, which enables online payment and monitoring in real-time.

Ogungbesan also said that the electronic filing (E-filing) system now in place allows electronic filing of tax returns and accompanying documentations.

FIRS, he said, therefore seeks collaboration with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to ensure source deduction and remittance of taxes from government contracts and of employees emoluments through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) and Intergrated Personnel & Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

In addition, he said the automation paves the way for the statutory reporting process from banks to FIRS.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @FIRS

 

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FIRS banks on ITAS to improve tax collection in Nigeria

ITRealms:

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has explained the essence of automating its processes, just as the agency banks on Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Lagos on Friday, Acting Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr. Sunday S. Ogungbesan explained why they invested on the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS).

“ITAS automates core tax administration processes and enables online interface between FIRS and taxpayers,” he said.

He cited for instance the Value Added Tax (VAT) Collect system, saying FIRS has unveiled the automated system for tracking and remittance of Value Added Tax from key sectors.

“E-tax pay platform, online electronic system of tax payment, which enables online payment and monitoring in real-time,” he said, just as E-filing system, which allows electronic filing of tax returns and accompanying documentation has since been introduced.

FIRS, he said, would collaborate with Office of the Accountant General of the Federation to ensure source deduction and remittance of taxes from government contracts and of employees emoluments through GIFMIS and IPPIS.

“The automation of the statutory reporting process from banks to FIRS,” he said, is not left out.

In order to improve processes, he said, FIRS would engage with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and other relevant agencies to improve collaboration

The imperativeness of organizational restructuring, he said, led to the promotion of professionalism and effective linkage between core tax and support functions. 

“This has included strengthening of audit functions nationwide through regionalization and deployment of core tax professionals to oversee and it functions strengthening of taxpayer service and enforcement functions to bring tax administration closer to taxpayers and also improve voluntary compliance

Stressing that ongoing collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance and Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission would be streamlined to tax incentives and eliminate misuse

FIRS boss further said that review of tax legislation and tax rulings along with issuance of regulations to provide clarity on interpretation and application of tax laws - Withholding Tax Regulations, Amendment of Schedule to Taxes and Levies based on approved list for collection Act.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
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