FG apologises over ‘misleading tweet’ ordering banks, account holders to re-register

The Federal Government has apologised for its tweet ordering all account holders in the country to obtain and fill self-certification forms.

In a directive contained in a series of tweets (now deleted) on Thursday, the Federal Government said each account holder must submit the filled forms in their respective financial institutions.

In another tweet on Friday morning, the Federal Government acknowledged that its earlier tweets were misleading and the notice by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) does not apply to everybody.

“We apologise for the misleading tweets (now deleted) that went up yesterday, regarding the completion of self-certification forms by Reportable Persons. The message contained in the @firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly,” it tweeted.

We apologize for the misleading tweets (now deleted) that went up yesterday, regarding the completion of self-certification forms by Reportable Persons. The message contained in the @firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly pic.twitter.com/KBiPh0lCwJ

— Government of Nigeria (@NigeriaGov) September 18, 2020

FIRS on its official handle @firsNigeria, however, clarified the information noting that the directive was for ‘Reportable Persons’ with accounts in ‘Reportable Financial Institutions.’

“This is to clarify the publication for financial institutions account holders in Nigeria to complete the self-certification form, pursuant to the Income Tax (Common Reporting Standard) Regulations 2019 which is for the fulfillment of Automatic Exchange of Information Requirements.

“The Self Certification form is basically to be administered on Reportable persons holding accounts in Financial institutions that are regarded as “Reportable Financial Institutions” under the CRS.

“Reportable persons are often non-residents and other persons who have a residence for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction or Country.

“Financial Institutions are expected to administer the Self Certification form on such account holders when the information at its disposal indicates that the Account holder is a person resident for tax purpose in more than one jurisdiction.

“The information that indicates an account holder is a resident for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction, is expected to be available to Financial Institutions during the account opening processes for the KYC and AML purpose,” FIRS tweeted.

This is to clarify the publication for financial institutions account holders in Nigeria to complete the self certification form, pursuant to the Income Tax (Common Reporting Standard) Regulations 2019 which is for the fulfilment of Automatic Exchange of Information Requirements. https://t.co/2H6Hedbnv3

— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) September 18, 2020

The Self Certification form is basically to be administered on Reportable persons holding accounts in Financial institutions that are regarded as “Reportable Financial Institutions” under the CRS. Reportable persons are often non-residents..

— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) September 18, 2020

and other persons who have residence for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction or Country. Financial Institutions are expected to administer the Self Certification form on such account holders when information at its disposal indicates that the Account holder is a person

— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) September 18, 2020

resident for tax purpose in more than one jurisdiction. The information that indicates an account holder is a resident for tax purposes in more than one jurisdiction,is expected to be available to Financial Institutions during account opening processes for the KYC and AML purpose

— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) September 18, 2020

Outrage

The announcement giving the directive was greeted on Thursday with outrage by Nigerians.

The directive had warned that “failure to comply with the requirement to administer or execute this form attracts sanctions which may include monetary penalty or inability to operate the account.”

Many Nigerians on Thursday evening took to Twitter to express displeasure.

They lamented that the order was given despite the possession of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and the National Identification Number (NIN) and other official means of identification by account holders.

Following the apology by the Federal government and clarification by the FIRS, Nigerians on Twitter expressed disappointment and surprise. Others demanded more clarification, wondering if the reverse decision was taken following Thursday evening backlash on Twitter.

See Tweets below…

This is certainly not how to run a government.

— Emir of Otan-Ayegbaju (@Salako_Fish) September 18, 2020

So what has been the use of BVN & IPPIS inpayment of salaries etc of Govt workers – is the tax not deducted from source?

Or which category is been referred too. So much confusion here and there — later all we shall see in the News is “the President is shocked”

— Muyiwa Komolafe (@muyiwa_komolafe) September 18, 2020

National Agency for Shifting Blames & Clarification of Poorly Worded Press Releases (NASHALAYE)

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) September 18, 2020

This is not acceptable! Has the person who sent the tweets been suspended or relieved of his/her appointment? Impunity is also corruption you know.

— QA (@filho_ib) September 18, 2020

We apologize for the misleading tweets (now deleted) that went up yesterday, regarding the completion of self-certification forms by Reportable Persons. The message contained in the @firsNigeria Notice does not apply to everybody. FIRS will issue appropriate clarification shortly pic.twitter.com/0Ru5gHtaCC

— eseose 🌏 (@eseosegift) September 18, 2020

This is not clear. Who is a reportable person?

— Terese Matthew Igbabul (@teresematt) September 18, 2020

@firsNigeria kindly clarify the reportable persons

— Oladunjoye Motunrayo (@tunrayoola94) September 18, 2020

Can you do a rejoinder and say this in simple English?

— Kanu Eberechi 🇳🇬 (@Biteck5) September 18, 2020. (Channels TV)