The Kaduna State Internal
Revenue Service (KDIRS) has sealed off three branches of Access
Bank in Kaduna metropolis over non-remittance of over N175 million
Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE).
The News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bank branches, located
along Bida Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Isa Kaita Road were sealed-off in the
early hours of Wednesday.
Francis Kozah, KDIRS Secretary and Legal Adviser, told journalists shortly
after the exercise that the branches would remain closed till the bank pays all
tax liabilities to Kaduna State Government.
“We conducted a tax audit from 2011 to 2016 which revealed that Access
Bank has not been remitting PAYE and withholding taxes.
“We are able to establish an unremitting liability of PAYE and withholding
taxes of over N175 million within the period.
“KDIRS communicated to Access Bank the findings, made demand for payment
and held several meetings with the management of the bank, but the bank refused
to pay.
“We are left with no other option but to approach the court for a warrant
to restrain the bank, and the court granted the order to seal off all the
branches in the state.’’
Mr Kozah said that KDIRS decided to restrain only three branches, adding
that they would not be opened until the bank management does the needful.
He advised all corporate entities, including professional bodies operating
in the state to come forward and settle all tax-related issues with government
or risk being sealed off.
“We are going to be fair to all taxpayers, but we will remain firm and
decisive in ensuring that all taxpayers pay what is due to the state
government,” he said.
KDIRS
Head of Enforcement, Ado Garba, also said that the revenue agency was currently
finalising tax audit of some corporate entities, including individuals.
According to him, the agency will go after anyone, banks, companies, professional
bodies and other businesses found withholding tax.
“We are open to negotiation with Access Bank, but I assure you that we
will only open the branches if the management settle the tax liabilities,
including N250,000 cost incurred in sealing the branches.”
On his part, the Executive Chairman, KDRIS, Zaid Abubakar, warned that the
agency would seal off any business establishment and corporate organisation
that were not willing to pay taxes to the state.
“We will not continue to watch while businesses operating in the state sit
on government money by refusing to pay their taxes,” he said.
(NAN)
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