VAIDS: FIRS, JTB Commence Enforcement On Defaulters

Following the expiration of the amnesty by the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), the Joint Tax Board (JTB), in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), would commence a “full scale Enforcement Exercise” on defaulting taxpayers.

FIRS Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, said the exercise, including prosecution, would affect taxpayers who did not take advantage of the VAIDS.

“The Joint Tax Board (JTB), in conjunction with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), is embarking on a full scale Enforcement, including prosecution of those defaulting taxable persons who did not take advantage of the Scheme.

“The defaulting taxpayers will be assessed to tax in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Tax Laws,” Nami, who doubles as JTB Chairman, said.

Taxpayers, who had outstanding tax liabilities, which had previously been declared under the Scheme, were encouraged to pay up to avoid having the reliefs cancelled.

The VAIDS, Executive Order No. 004 of 2017, provides an opportunity for taxpayers who were in default of tax liabilities to voluntarily declare their assets and income, and pay taxes due on them, and in return obtain amnesty from prosecution among other benefits for a 12-month period from July 1, 2017.

The scheme had also provided that upon taking advantage of the amnesty, tax reliefs such as immunity from prosecution for tax offences, immunity from tax audit, waiver of interest, waiver of penalties and the option of spreading payment of outstanding liabilities over a maximum period of three years would be available.

The Executive Order had, however, stated that the consequence of failure to comply with the scheme would be met with liabilities for the offending taxpayer, including liability to pay in full the principal sum, as well as to pay all penalties and interests that have arisen.

This also includes a comprehensive tax audit for the taxpayer and withdrawal of reliefs granted.

The FIRS noted: “This Post-VAIDS Enforcement and Prosecution is coming on the heels of a Post-VAIDS Stakeholders’ Webinar held on 6th June, 2022 and organised by the FIRS.

“During the Webinar the Service used the opportunity to explain to stakeholders including consultants and taxpayers the background and successes of the scheme.”

Nami added that, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 68 million businesses were active in Nigeria, while less than 20 million of these were active taxpayers.

He noted that this gap in compliance needed to be bridged through enforcement of compliance, and that the Post-VAIDS activities were an avenue for businesses and individuals to voluntarily declare their assets and income, and register to pay tax or face full enforcement action by the Service.