In its efforts to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and businesses in the state, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) begins implementation of additional reliefs and measures to ease the impact of the pandemic on its teeming taxpayers.
The Executive Chairman, LIRS, Ayodele Subair, said the measures, which kicks off from July this year, are to be implemented to ease the impact of the pandemic on taxpayers in the state.
The measures are: LIRS shall allow, on a case by case basis, payment of outstanding liabilities in instalments to ease cash flow challenges that may affect taxpayers; taxpayers are to enjoy a waiver of penalty for late payment of liabilities under PAYE (Pay As You Earn) that was due during March-May, 2020 when the state was under COVID-19 lockdown.
Others are: a waiver of penalties due on late filing of 2020 annual tax returns known as ‘Form A’ will be granted; a remarkable waiver of interest and penalty on liabilities arising from 2009 to 2015 tax audit for taxpayers who can pay up on or before December 31, 2020 will be implemented.
According to Subair, the LIRS through the Lagos State Government will be granting tax credit of 20 per cent of all cash and kind donations made towards Covid-19 by individuals resident in the State for the 2021 Year of Assessment (subject to a cap of 35 per cent of tax due).
He said the additional payment channels had been opened to make payment of taxes easier, simpler and more convenient for all. “Video Conferencing has been adopted as the default mode for conducting Tax Audit Reconciliation Committee (TARC) meetings in consonance with social distancing advisories from Government and other relevant health authorities”.
Encouraging taxpayers to make use of the Agency’s digital communication platforms to get updates on its operations and details of all tax payment platforms, he enjoined businesses and individuals to take advantage of these additional palliatives and reciprocate the kind gestures of the state government by discharging their civic responsibilities through prompt payment of all taxes and levies due to the state.
The LIRS further urged residents to stay safe and obey all Covid-19 guidelines as stipulated by the relevant health authorities and the state government.
For further enquiries, taxpayers are to visit the LIRS website, www.lirs.gov.ng, and its various social media platforms @lirsgovng or by calling the Customer Care Centre on 0700 CALL LIRS (0700-2255-5477).
