The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Tuesday announced closure of 34 corporate organisations and 23 hotels for failing to remit Personal Income Taxes (PIT) of their employees and consumption taxes.
Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude, LIRS’ Head of Corporate Communications, said Seyi Alade, LIRS Director of Legal Services, disclosed the shutdown while addressing a state-wide tax law enforcement exercise conducted by the service.
The tax liabilities of these companies and hotels, Alade said, amounted to more than N356.12 million, adding that this has caused the state a huge loss in revenue.
According to Alade, 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.
“The primary goal is 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.
“These companies deduct PIT from their employees’ salaries at the end of each month, and charge consumption taxes on goods and services purchased by customers.
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“Unfortunately, some unpatriotic firms choose to withhold these payments, illegally converting the funds for their own use,” the Director said.
Alade also said failing to file tax returns or engaging in tax evasion are considered criminal offences that may result in financial penalties and, in some cases, custodial sentences upon conviction.
He however warned that the enforcement exercise shall be a continuous one, adding that all erring companies, hotels, restaurants, and individuals in the state will be visited if they refuse to regularise their tax positions immediately or if they fail to comply with all extant tax laws operational in the State.
Some of the companies shut down by the service 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
Seven Six & Ten Limited
Some of the hotels shut down by LIRS include:
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
Jade Palace Chinese Restaurant
