PLATEAU State Government,yesterday, launched the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme, VAIDS...
Commissioner of Finance, Tamakat
Weli, said the scheme, which was
launched on June 28 by the Acting
President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, is
expected to last for nine months only
from July 1 to March 31, 2018 and there
shall be no renewal nor extension.
“The scheme is a time limited
opportunity for taxpayers to
voluntarily disclose previously
undisclosed assets and income for
the payment of all outstanding tax
liabilities with the assurance that they
will not face criminal prosecution for
tax offenses.
‘The key condition of the scheme is
that a full and honest declaration must
be made. The aim of this scheme is to
offer an amnesty window to allow
Nigerians who may have evaded tax,
whether ignorantly or deliberately,
the opportunity to do their civic
duty and pay the correct taxes whilst
providing the much needed revenue
for Nigeria’s infrastructure.
“Upon the expiration of the
Voluntary Asset and Income
Declaration Programme, government
will commence criminal prosecution
of those who have evaded taxes and
yet failed to take advantage of the
scheme.
“The scheme covers all federal and
state taxes and will cover all back
taxes for six years in line with the
statutory periods of limitation under
the relevant statues.
“The launch of VAIDS in Plateau
State and across the country will ensure
that tax administration is carried
out seamlessly while improving the
existing friendly interface between tax
payers and tax authorities, as Plateau
under the visionary leadership of our
rescue Governor, Simon Lalong, is
once again taking the lead to bring
succor to the people by being among
the first states to launch VAIDS.
“I call on citizens to take advantage
of the amnesty window which this
scheme provides to voluntarily
and honestly declare all hitherto
undeclared assets and incomes and
regularize their standing with the
federal, state and local government
tax authorities, I solicit for the
support of all Plateau citizens for
this administration as it sets out
to achieve its five-point policy
thrust and sustain peace and
development.”
Earlier, the Chairman, Plateau
State Internal Revenue Service,
PSIRS, Dashe Arlat, urged
residents to pay their taxes as at
when due.
He said the Lalong-led
administration is determined to
better the lives of citizens.
Our correspondent reports that
the Plateau State Internal Revenue
Service in its determination to keep
the public abreast and sensitized
on the importance of voluntary
tax compliance, organized a one day
road walk/show which took
the staff of the service to business
areas in Jos metropolis.
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