News by Dauda Iliya
Borno State Government has sealed ten mega shopping malls in Maiduguri for default on payments of withholding tax.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the enforcement exercise, Head of Legal Unit and Secretary Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ardo Buba said the exercise is in line with Borno State Harmonised Revenue Law 2020.
According to him, assessment notices, demand notes and reminders have been served to all the affected properties but they failed to settle their payments hence the enforcement.
Mr Buba explained that the Revenue Service is targeting to generate over 500 million naira from withholding tax this year having generated over 100 million naira during the first quarter.
The Secretary remarked that the Board has stepped up its tax collection effort to augment the revenue shortfall from the monthly federation allocation in order to sustain the ongoing humanitarian, resettlement and developmental projects in the state.
“Borno state Internal Revenue Service would not remove the seals on these 10 shopping malls until 50% of these liabilities are duly paid. Opening of these properties without authorization would attract sanction in accordance with the provisions of section 153 subsection 1 Paragraph A to D of the Borno state Harmonised Revenue Law 2020 (as amended).
Mr. Ardo Buba warned property owners not to remove the enforcement seals without the authorisation of Executive Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service or be summarily sanctioned.