Kaduna agency parleys with nine banks over N2.3b unpaid tax

The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service says it has begun discussion with nine commercial banks to recover N2.3 billion withholding tax they allegedly owed the state government.
Francis Kozah, Legal Adviser to the agency made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Kaduna.
NAN recalls that the agency on July 4, issued a seven-day notice to 10 commercial banks operating in the state to remit the amount or risk closure.
The N2.3 billion was the total amount of tax the banks allegedly failed to remit to the state government between 2011 and 2016.
Kozah, however, said that one of the 10 banks had challenged the matter in court.
He said: “I am happy to say that when we pasted the Notice to Distrain in the affected banks, the banks immediately came to us for discussion.
“Some have even paid part of their liabilities and discussion is ongoing for the remaining amount. I am confident we will soon put the matter to rest.”
He advised other defaulting establishment to do the needful to avoid embarrassment, adding that the agency’s doors were open for discussions.
Kozah said: “Certainly we are going to be fair but firm. Tax assessment has been sent out, and we are identifying those that refused to respond.
“I assure you that we will use our enforcement and legal unit to prosecute all defaulters.”