BSU, UniAgric, others to face sanction over tax evasion

The Benue State Board of Internal Revenue Service said it will sanction government agencies and parastatals who have failed to
remit taxes as at when due.

It was revealed that the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Benue State University failed to remit PAYEE taxes amounting to N5.9 billion.

The service Chairman, Mimi Orubibi, told newsmen on Tuesday in Makurdi that the agencies deducted the taxes from their workers but failed to remit them to the board.

Orubibi explained that the Bureau, between 2012 and 2014, failed to remit over N3 billion taxes after deduction.

She also said the university failed to remit taxes between 2005 and 2012 amounting to N2.9 billion.

She said the board would not issue tax certificates to local government workers, primary school teachers and the university
staff until the agencies settled the funds.

“As we speak, their staff want to collect tax clearance certificate from us, but it is unfortunate that we cannot issue tax clearance certificates to them until the bureau remits deducted funds.

“The word tax clearance means one is cleared from payment of tax at a particular given time. So we cannot grant them waiver
as they are agitating.

“Constitutionally, penalties can be waived, but principals and interest must be paid. So whatever is the case, they have to
remit the funds.” She said.

Also earmarked for sanction are commercial banks, and the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

“JED Plc has evaded tax for over N300 million in the state. Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi is also owning millions
of tax and we are going to take them to court.

“People need to understand that tax is constitutional and any default would be punished in accordance to taxation laws of the
land.”

She said with time and proper education on legal issues involved in taxation, the public would soon appreciate the new tax regime
in the state.

Orubibi further warned consultants that the board would not accommodate breaches of contractual agreement as anyone found wanting would be sanctioned.