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The federal government on Thursday, gave more bite to its ongoing crusade to deepen tax compliance and inclusion of more citizens both corporate and individuals into the shallow tax basket. Currently, only 214 Nigerians pay taxes of about N20m annually and about 900 Nigerians pay N10m as tax every year.

This came on the heels of a new Executive Order on Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) signed by the Acting President to raise federal tax payers’ volume in the country.

Key provision of the scheme includes nine months grace period to taxpayers to regularise their tax status or face criminal prosecution for tax offences.

Explaining more while inaugurating the VAIDS in Abuja, he said the scheme was specially targeted at taxpayers, who had not declared their taxable incomes and assets, as well as those who don’t pay at all, and those who had been underpaying or under remitting.

While noting that the scheme would cover all federal and state taxes such as companies’ income tax, personal income tax, petroleum profit tax, capital gains tax, stamp duties and tertiary education tax, he added that “The scheme will be operated from July 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018”.

“It will be supported by an executive order, which I will sign into law today to offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to those in default to regularise their tax affairs.

“In exchange for full and honest declaration, tax evaders will receive immunity from prosecution, forgiveness of penalty and interest that is due on unpaid taxes.

“They will also get the full assurance that all information provided will remain confidential.

“In addition, participants in the scheme will not be selected for audit investigation for the period.

“We understand that some taxpayers may have problems raising cash and for that reason, we have built in a system that will allow those owing to pay over a period of time.’’

Osinbajo however added a caveat, saying VAIDS is subject to conditions and noted that those who failed to take advantage of the nine months grace period would face criminal investigation and if found guilty may face up to five-year jail term.

Business Hilights recalls that last week, the Minister of finance had inaugurated the Community Tax liaison Officers (CTLOs) who would immediately commence a nationwide sensitisation of Nigerians on the scheme and tax in general to ensure compliance.

The Acting President added that “To this end, we have agreed that every Thursday starting from today, and for the next one year will be declared Tax Thursday”.

“We expect the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and every state government to organise sensitisation events that would raise awareness of the tax system to ensure massive enrolment of new taxpayers.

“We must enrol at least 4 million taxpayers and increase the level of payment among the 14 million already registered tax payers.

“We expect that all state governors will personally lead this initiative and support the work of the 7,500 community tax liaison officers that would be employed shortly.’’

The acting president said that a high-level team working with the Federal Ministry of Finance was set up 15 months ago to research on tax evasion and illicit financial flows.

He said the report of the team, which was tagged “Light House Project” searched various databases such as banks, Corporate Affairs Commission, vehicle registration numbers and immigration to fish out tax evaders.

On the international front, Osinbajo said; “Nigeria is now a party to the automatic exchange of information which comes into effect in January 2018’’.

“This means that Nigeria will automatically have all the information to successfully pursue tax evaders across the world.

“Specifically, we will have information on beneficial owners of assets held abroad, including those in tax havens,” he said.

Explaining more on the new Order, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, said that with the scheme, Nigeria hoped to increase tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country from six per cent to 30 per cent.

“If we pass this test, the future of Nigeria is assured,” she said.

Sen. John Enoh of Cross River Central, who represented the President of the Senate, assured of legislative backing to the scheme and stressed that the Senate would pass whatever legislation needed to improve tax compliance in the country.

Speaking on the new development, the Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Mr Abudulaziz Yari pledged the state governments’ support and commitment toward the new initiative.

Yari, who is also the Governor of Zamfara, said that state governments would be the biggest beneficiary of revenues derived from the scheme as they would give the FIRS necessary support.

Business Hilights recalls that a recent report of the Joint Tax Board showed that only 14 million people out of the estimated 69.9 million Nigerians, who are economically active, are paying taxes.

Accordingly, 96 percent of the 14 million have their taxes deducted at source; this shows that they are government workers.