Tax Evasion: Lagos Seals 12 Filling Stations

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Thursday sealed 12 petroleum products retail outlets in different parts of the metropolis over alleged tax evasion.

The Assistant Legal Adviser, LIRS, Mrs Afolashade Afolayan said that the outlets allegedly owed the state government a sum of N4.8 million.

Afolayan said that the amount was what the operators failed to remit into government coffers between 2006 and 2008.

Besides, the state government also sealed the premises of six travel agencies for allegedly owing N4.5 million.

Afolayan told  newsmen who accompanied the team, that the government sealed the firms as a last resort to get its revenue.

She said that the government took the step after notices to the firms failed.

Afolayan urged firms and individuals yet to remit their taxes to the government to pay and avoid being visited by the enforcement team.

She urged all to imbibe the spirit of voluntary tax compliance to help the government achieve its promises to the people.

Afolayan said that the firms were sealed under the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue Law, Section 104, Cap 8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The Weekend Tide’s source reports that three companies avoided being sealed as their management hurriedly paid their liabilities to the government.