Delta school owners threaten court action over alleged multiple taxation

Members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Delta State have threatened to sue the state government over alleged multiple taxation.

They said they would seek redress at the law court if steps were not taken to reduce the taxes.

The Chairman of NAPPS, Chuks Osazuwa during an interview with journalists yesterday in Asaba said members of the association had been forced to pay multiple taxes by government agencies for many years.

Osazuwa said the major problem confronting owners of private schools in the state was multiple taxation introduced by government ministries and agencies.

His words: “We are subjected to multiple taxation by government agencies such as ministries of Commence and Industry, Environment, Ministry of Health, Waste Management Board, state fire service. We pay our renewal fee yearly to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, pay tax to Board of Internal Revenue which is statutory.

“This is not acceptable anywhere in the world, school business is not for profit as most people believe. We may be forced to go to court over the issue. Local councils also demand tax.”

Reacting to the allegation, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Mary Iyashere said: “What the association described as multiple taxation is just a ploy to evade taxes.

“There is no way NAPPS can evade taxes, individuals, companies, and others pay tax everywhere. Tax is compulsory to sustain the internally generated revenue. The state government would not subscribe to the argument by the association.”

According to Osazuwa, apart from statutory taxes, NAPPS members pay N2.5 million monthly to state government agencies.

“We cannot afford these arbitrary taxes. Government should realise these private school owners are helping to reduce unemployment in the state,” he said.