FIRS moves to recover alleged N1.8trn unpaid tax from Multichoice Nigeria
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) has appointed some commercial banks as agents to recover the sum of N1.8 trillion from accounts of Messrs MultiChoice Nigeria Limited (MCN) And MultiChoice Africa (MCA).
This was disclosed in a statement released by Mr Abdullahi Ahmad, Director, Communications and Liaison Department of FIRS in Abuja on Thursday.
The statement, which quoted FIRS’ Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, disclosed that known accounts of the group had been frozen.
The statement hinted that this became necessary following Multichoice’s continued refusal to grant FIRS access to its servers for audit.
It was learnt that the companies persistently breached all agreements and undertakings with the FIRS and failed to promptly respond to correspondences.
Multichoice was accused of lacking data integrity and transparency. It was also accused of avoiding giving the FIRS accurate information on the number of its subscribers and income.
FIRS accused Multichoice of under-remittance of taxes which necessitated a critical review of the tax-compliance level of the company.
The FIRS further noted that the level of non-compliance by Multi-Choice Africa (MCA), the parent Company MCN was very alarming adding that the parent company, which provided services to MCN had never paid Value Added Tax (VAT) since its inception.
The statement said, “The issue with Tax collection in Nigeria, especially from foreign-based Companies conducting businesses in Nigeria and making massive profits is frustrating and infuriating to the FIRS.
“Regrettably, companies come into Nigeria just to infringe on our tax laws by indulging in tax evasion. There is no doubt that broadcasting, telecommunications and the cable-satellite industries have changed the face of communication in Nigeria.
“However, when it comes to tax compliance, some companies are found wanting. They do with impunity in Nigeria what they dare not try in their countries of origin”.
The chairman stated that Nigeria contributed 34 per cent of total revenue for the Multi-Choice group saying that the next to Nigeria from intelligence gathering is Kenya with 11 per cent and Zambia in third place with 10 per cent.
According to him, the rest African countries where they have presence account for 45 per cent of the group’s total revenue.
“Information currently at the disposal of FIRS has revealed a tax liability for relevant years of assessment for ₦1.8trillion and 342.5 million dollars.
“FIRS is powered in Section 49 of the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 as amended, Section 41 of the Value Added Tax Act Cap V1 LFN 2004 as amended and Section 31 of the FIRS (Establishment) Act No. 13 of 2007.
“(With) these relevant sections all bankers to MCA and MCN in Nigeria are therefore appointed as Collecting Agents for the full recovery of the aforesaid tax debt.
“In this regard, the affected banks are required to sweep balances in each of the above-mentioned entities’ accounts and pay the same in full or part settlement of the companies’ respective tax debts until full recovery.
“This should be done before the execution of any transaction involving the companies or any of their subsidiaries. It is further requested that the FIRS be informed of any transactions before execution on the account, especially transfers of funds to any of their subsidiaries.
”It is important that Nigeria puts a stop to all tax frauds that had been going on for too long and all companies must be held accountable and made to pay their fair share of relevant taxes including back duty taxes owed especially VAT,” he said.
