N1. 8 billion tax case between JEDC and Plateau internal revenue fixed for hearing

By YUSUFU IDEGU, Jos

The Tax Appeal Tribunal in Jos has fixed for hearing the tax appeal brought before it by management of Plateau Internal Revenue Services against the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).

The case was mentioned at the sitting of the tribunal on Friday, but had to be adjourned as defence counsel reminded the tribunal that the 30 days allowed for filling of reply has not been exhausted.

Though appellant counsel was ready, the court had to allow room for filing of reply by the respondent in accordance with the court rules and procedures.

In its appeal, Plateau State Internal Revenue Services claimed that JEDC is in default obligation to the tune of N1. 8 billion.

The appellant claimed it has followed all the laid down processes to get JEDC offset its accumulated tax liability but that the defendant failed to pay.

Breakdown of the accumulated sum showed that the defendant is owing PAYE of N840 million, development levy on payroll amounting to N1m, withholding tax of N50.7m.

The appellant also claimed that 10% of the tax liability as well as 21% interest to bring the total of liability to N1. 8 billion.

The appellant is therefore prayed the court to compel the respondent to pay the sum of N1. 8b being the tax liability that accumulated between a period of 2015 and 2016.

After the arguments of both counsels on whether to go ahead with hearing the appeal or not,   chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Richard Umar Bala, said: “I hereby adjourned the case to the 24th of May, 2021 for hearing. It is the expectation of the tribunal that the defense council would have filled its reply according.”