Tax debt: FIRS shuts more firms in Lagos, Abuja

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) continued its tax compliance drive in Lagos State and Abuja on Wednesday, shutting the premises of defaulting companies.

In Abuja, the FIRS team, led by Chinazor Edeh, shut down the office of Taleveras, an energy firm operating from the Maitaima area of the city.

A warrant of distraint presented by the team indicated that the company is owing over N667 million in tax liabilities.

Before sealing off the company, Edeh told the Chief Security Officer, the highest ranking official available, that the company failed pay the balance of its tax liabilities after it paid N50 million, following the sealing off of its premises in May.

However, Edeh explained that FIRS was not interested in sealing off the company, but to ensure that the tax is paid.

But the Chief Security Officer said the company is incapable of defraying the liabilities, as it has not been able to pay salaries.

Consequently, the enforcement team ordered the workers to vacate the premises, before sealing off the company.

Also sealed by the enforcement team is Jardin Nigeria Limited, a landscaping/ project management company, with an office at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

The company owes more than N129 million in taxes. An official of the company, who identified himself as Mr. Olu, admitted that the company is owing, but argued that some states equally owed the company more than N2 billion.

Edeh advised the company to pay 50 per cent of its tax liabilities and reach agreement with FIRS on a structured payment of the balance.

Meanwhile, in Lagos, two companies were shut in the Ikeja area by the FIRS team, led by Anita Erinne.

First to be shut was Guarantee Petroleum Company, located at 21 Salvation Road, off Opebi Road.

Though the company’s operations were ongoing at the time the FIRS team got to the premises, none of the officials attended to the team.

Consequently, the premises was shut over tax arrears of $13.26 million.

The next was Capital Oil Plc with office at 43 Adeniyi Jones Avenue, which was sealed over a tax debt of N81. 8 million.