We will expose, disgrace, prosecute tax evaders from March 31, says Adeosun

* Promises confidentiality of data received on Nigerians’
overseas assets

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said
that the Federal Government will expose, disgrace and prosecute tax
evaders that fail to utilise the Voluntary Assets and Income
Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to regularise their tax
profiles.

She also disclosed that the Federal Government would strictly
adhere to the confidentiality of the automatic exchange of
financial account information in tax matters in line with the
guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD).

Adeosun said this yesterday at the VAIDS Stakeholders Symposium
held at the Umaru Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Murtala Square, in Kaduna
State.

The sensitisation programme was attended by governor of the
state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; Accountant-General of the Federation,
Alhaji Idris Ahmed; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland
Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler; members of the State
Executive Council, captains of industry and business owners.

The minister, who stated that the Federal Government had the
political will to prosecute tax evaders once the tax amnesty
programme was over by March 31, 2018, said: “The Federal Government
has the political will and data to go after tax evaders who fail to
take advantage of the tax amnesty programme. Many Nigerians cannot
explain their lifestyles or match their lifestyles, assets and
income with their tax payment.

“We will close VAIDS at the expiration of the programme on March
31, 2018. And once the programme is closed, we will name and shame
and also prosecute tax evaders.”

She noted that the information sourced through data sharing with
foreign countries would strictly be used for tax purposes.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai, who disclosed that he declared his assets
in 2017, commended the collaboration between the federal and state
governments on tax.

He pledged to provide land ownership data to tax authorities at
the federal and state level as part of measures to bring more
income earners and asset owners into the tax net.

* Promises confidentiality of data received on Nigerians’
overseas assets

The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said
that the Federal Government will expose, disgrace and prosecute tax
evaders that fail to utilise the Voluntary Assets and Income
Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) to regularise their tax
profiles.

She also disclosed that the Federal Government would strictly
adhere to the confidentiality of the automatic exchange of
financial account information in tax matters in line with the
guidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD).

Adeosun said this yesterday at the VAIDS Stakeholders Symposium
held at the Umaru Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Murtala Square, in Kaduna
State.

The sensitisation programme was attended by governor of the
state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai; Accountant-General of the Federation,
Alhaji Idris Ahmed; Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland
Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Babatunde Fowler; members of the State
Executive Council, captains of industry and business owners.

The minister, who stated that the Federal Government had the
political will to prosecute tax evaders once the tax amnesty
programme was over by March 31, 2018, said: “The Federal Government
has the political will and data to go after tax evaders who fail to
take advantage of the tax amnesty programme. Many Nigerians cannot
explain their lifestyles or match their lifestyles, assets and
income with their tax payment.

“We will close VAIDS at the expiration of the programme on March
31, 2018. And once the programme is closed, we will name and shame
and also prosecute tax evaders.”

She noted that the information sourced through data sharing with
foreign countries would strictly be used for tax purposes.

Meanwhile, El-Rufai, who disclosed that he declared his assets
in 2017, commended the collaboration between the federal and state
governments on tax.

He pledged to provide land ownership data to tax authorities at
the federal and state level as part of measures to bring more
income earners and asset owners into the tax net.