FIRS Clamps Down on Millionaire Tax Defaulters, Recovers N23bn

The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr.

Tunde Fowler, on Thursday disclosed that the sum of N23 billion was realised from 45, 000 tax defaulters, with over N100 million as turnover in their respective bank accounts.

He said the recovery followed a crackdown on defaulters which was carried out in collaboration with other stakeholders, including the

Nigeria Police Force, adding that another set of 40, 000 millionaire will be targeted in this year.

Speaking when he received the acting Inspector-General of Police (IG),

Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who paid him a courtesy visit, Fowler saidthe Service would continue to go after wealthy tax defaulters in 2019.

He, therefore, sought the cooperation of the police to help compel tax defaulters to pay their taxes.

In a statement issued by Head, Communications and Servicom Departments, Mr. Wahab Gbadamosi, the FIRS boss noted that it had identified 45,

000 millionaire tax evaders in 2018 and recovered the sum of N23

billion through the substitution of their bank accounts.

He expressed gratitude to the police for aiding the success of the

crack down and further requested for more support to enable it recover

due taxes from more 40, 000 rich tax evaders in 2019.

He said: “Let me put on record that the Nigeria Police Force has been extremely helpful to FIRS. Without the Police, I doubt that the

Service would have been able to achieve what we have achieved. 2018 was a successful year. The FIRS collected a total of N5.320 trillion

of tax revenue. This is the highest revenue collection in the history

of FIRS.

“This is significant given that this collection was when oil prices

oscillated between $50 and $70 per barrel. Oil price was at an average

of $100 to $120 per barrel between 2012 when FIRS collected N5.07

trillion. Oil component of the N5.320 trillion is N2.467 trillion

(46.38 percent), while non-oil element of the collection is N2.852

trillion (53.62 per cent).”

Adamu, however, assured of the police continued support as the job of

revenue generation is critical to the survival of the nation.

According to the police boss: “We feel that the work you do is one of

the most important for the survival of the country. And you need to be

supported from all angles so that you achieve what you want to achieve

to the benefit of every Nigerian.

“We will continue to work with you to improve security so that people

would do their businesses here, make profits and pay their taxes. We

believe that with the new Management team of the Nigeria Police Force,

which is adopting Community Policing, we would be able to improve

security.”