The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Muhammad Nami, says the Stamp Duty charges as well as other tax revenues generated by the agency have kept the Nigerian economy immune to the ravages of COVID-19.
Mr Nami made this disclosure recently in Abuja during a live appearance on the popular morning show, Kaakaki, on Africa Independent Television, AIT.
According to him, “this belief that with oil money we are rich is false. What you see the federal, states and local governments sharing at the federation account meetings monthly comes from the taxes paid by Nigerians or body corporate.”
He added that “at the FAAC meeting in July, the total amount shared among the three tiers of government was N696 billion. From this amount 30% came from revenue generating-agencies like NNPC and Customs. The remaining 70% which is almost N500 billion, came from tax money that you paid, including stamp duty.”
“Without this money, there will be chaos everywhere. You are looking at issues relating to COVID-19 and the impact it is having on businesses today. People are actually losing jobs but it would be worse if taxes are not paid,” he said.
Consequently, Mr. Nami urged Nigerians and corporate bodies in the country to continue to pay their taxes as and when due.
The FIRS boss said: “nobody wants to pay tax but payment of tax is necessary. There is never a time that is appropriate for somebody to pay taxes. You can see it all over the world.
