Lagos seals Chinese firm, others for tax violations

By CHIKE OLISAH

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on Monday, sealed 16 hospitality firms over unpaid consumption taxes after it resumed the enforcement of the state’s tax laws.

The affected companies which include a Chinese firm, restaurants, hotels and guest houses, were shut for failing to meet up with the March 31 deadline for submission of tax returns.

This disclosure was made by the LIRS Director of Legal Services, Mr Seyi Alade, who said during the state-wide enforcement that the government had resolved to wield the stick on defaulters who insist on shortchanging the state government.

According to a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Alade noted that LIRS suspended for some time shutting of corporate organisations and hospitality firms over unpaid taxes.

What the LIRS Director of Legal Services is saying

Alade said, “Now, the service has resumed sealing of firms particularly the hospitality firms; it is committed to continuing the exercise until full compliance to tax payment and remittance are achieved.’’

According to Alade, the sealed companies include Café Trance, Maple Cottage, Imperial Chinese Cuisine, New World Inn, Inspiro Galaria, Grace Garden Event, Cristabol Place, Queens Park Event Centre, Axor Suites and Blue Moon Hotel.

Others are Citi View Hotel, Kamal’s Crib, 7th Heaven and Infinity Platinum Bar and Restaurant.

Alade said the tax liabilities of the affected firms covered from 2013 to 2020. (Daily Trust)