ShopRite, SPAR, and other well-known retailers have been shut down by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) in a show of force against tax evasion. The firms were shut down for neglecting to submit purchase taxes to the government.
The malls and establishments in question were accused by the ESIRS of routinely failing to remit withholding purchase taxes despite receiving multiple warning notifications, as per their statement released on Tuesday morning during an enforcement effort.
Roban Stores and Mama Onyinye eatery were both sealed for the same offence, according to Nnamdi Eneh, a spokesman for the service.
Tax Evasion: Enugu Government Seals Up Banks, Hospitals, Schools, Others
Eneh clarified that purchase tax on goods that clients pay when they visit these establishments is one of the fees that these firms are being asked to pay.
The chief of the ESIRS department, Perpetual Egwuonwu, who is in charge of restaurants, bars, lodging facilities, and retail centres, stressed the agency’s initiatives to collect the unpaid taxes. “We visited the sealed malls several times to request the purchase tax, but they failed to remit such,” the woman said.
Egwuonwu added that the affected parties have not cooperated despite repeated requests for them to pay their taxes on time. “It’s always one story or another,” she continued. They eventually assured us that they will take action before the end of February, however it is already March and the ESIRS has not received a response from them.
Egwuonwu emphasised that until the current problems were fixed, the malls will stay closed.
UPDATE: Enugu State Seals 16 Businesses Over Tax Evasion
Eneh stated in the meantime that the ESIRS had carried out public education campaigns to inform individuals of the value of filing taxes. “We’ve been running our public education campaign for a time now. The majority of the people were unyielding despite our efforts to raise awareness among them and implore them to pay their taxes in order to avoid being victimised by enforcement.
He restated that the goal was to force people to pay their taxes because pleading had not worked and the intention was not to interfere with anyone’s business.
Residents are upset about the situation and have expressed concerns about the closing of these well-known shopping centres. “It is regrettable that these shopping centres have been locked. A local who wished to remain anonymous remarked, “I hope they fix the problems soon so we can keep shopping there.”
JUST IN: Explosion Rocks Port Harcourt Mall (Video)
Regarding the mall closures, the Enugu State government has not yet made a formal remark. To address the problem of tax evasion, it is anticipated that talks between the government and the impacted companies would continue.
Businesses in Enugu State are asked to abide by tax laws as the enforcement campaign continues to prevent similar outcomes.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.