Reactions trail FIRS demand for tax from banks, telecos
Nigerians have reacted to the move by the Federal Inland Revenue Service to collect tax from industries which it described as “booming” in this period of covid-19 pandemic.
The purported press statement by the FIRS which was released on its Twitter handle on Saturday, said ‘Telecomm Cos are the biggest winners of the lockdown. People make more calls and buy more data than they used to; supermarkets stocking and restocking like never before. Why? Because demand on stock is more than usual. Isn’t it only fair and patriotic that they pay their taxes?
But reacting to the FIRS demand some Nigerians think it is wrong for the government tax agency to ask for taxies from these ‘biggest winners’ during lockdown.
@firsNigeria said When other countries around the world are dipping their hands into their reserves to support small & medium firms, you are here talking of how to worsen the situation. What boom are you talking about when in true sense both individual & organizations are only trying to survive.
@Gben_ga Replying to @firsNigeria said: All you’re interested in is putting further strain on an already over stretched economy. How are financial institutions, e-commerce, supermarkets or manufacturers experiencing boom when the purchasing power of the mass has been drastically reduced & there’s restricted movement.
@PrincessOnome· said: Experiencing a boom… The person who wrote that letter is clearly not thinking straight. What’s their policy on assistance|tax cuts|right-offs at a time like this? None! But they want to collect. Businesses have shutdown and are still incurring operational costs. Thieves
Instead of you to tell them to bring down the prices of goods and services because you will overlook their tax, you are here explaining jargons. pic.twitter.com/ggg8rjpcOu
— ?Abu Mariam?? (@AdesinaOyedele) April 25, 2020
ICYMI: April 6th, 2020, COVID-19: Statement On Measures to Cushion Effects on Taxpayers pic.twitter.com/xX9IJZzbua
— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) April 25, 2020
Update On Palliative Measures To Cushion Effect of Covid-19 On Taxpayers pic.twitter.com/iRn06cJgJC
— FIRS Nigeria (@firsNigeria) April 24, 2020
More reaction DailyTimes is tracking include
Shey una Dey mad ni??? Countries all over the world are giving companies Tax breaks, you guys are trying to get tax by force. Which sector isn’t affected?? This is nonsense abeg.
— TBONES (@oisaghieoyakhir) April 25, 2020
Really? Who did this to us? *in @DaddyFRZ voice. I say WHO DID THIS TO US? Asking us to pay tax inside lockdown? Aa ma ti shagbaako fa! Agbaako giidi!
— Maimunah Anephy (@anephy_maimunah) April 25, 2020
