The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has released 19, 901 names of companies and prominent Nigerians who have defaulted in tax.

The list, published on the agency’s website with the title ‘Consolidated tax defaulters list’, names Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Ltd, Iyiola Omisore and Partners, Hubmart Stores, Slot Enterprises, God is Good Motors, Davido Music Worldwide Ltd., PayPorte Technology Ltd., Davido Music Worldwide Ltd.

Also included are Citiroof Aluminium Co. Ltd; Coldstone Creamery Ltd. (Yaba), Grand Square Supermarket/Stores Ltd., Open Heavens Bliss Enterprises, Assemblies of God Nigeria, Music Imprint, X3M Music Ltd., Tiger Foods Ltd., Visionscape Sanitation Solutions Ltd., Erisco Foods, among others.

The FIRS said it had taken possession of the bank accounts of the tax defaulters.

Further, the agency disclosed its intention to keep the accounts under its possession until the defaulters regularize their tax status.

Also, defaulters were advised to come along with some documents before the Service can release their bank accounts.

The FIRS also listed steps to be followed by the tax defaulters to regularize their tax status. They include:

– Make payments of applicable taxes for the period owed.

– Visit the closest Substitution Review Unit (SRU) to: a) Fill Tax payers form as required; b) Attach evidence of tax payments made alongside the following: i. A letter to the ECFIRS on response to the substitution on your account; ii. Attach to letter a) Copy of your last file return; b) Copy of current tax clearance certificate; c) Bank statement for 3 years; d) Copy of incorporation and commencement of business.

In addition, defaulters are expected to meet the following conditions: State Sources of income if Loan; or operate Bureau de Change etc.; the SRU team will analyse and give feedback or in the alternative “send these details to taxpay@firs.gov.ng.”

The FIRS had initially given a 30-day notice of its intention to enforce the payment of outstanding tax owed by defaulters. This was disclosed in an advert published by the agency in some national newspapers.

The advert stated that “all Companies, which had their Bank Accounts placed under Lien by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) pursuant to Section 31 of the FIRSE Act, but are yet to regularise their tax status with the FIRS, that if they fail, refuse or neglect to pay the tax due within 30 days of this Notice, the FIRS shall in accordance with Section 49 (2) (a- d) of the FIRSE Act proceed and enforce the payment of the said tax against all the Directors, Managers, Secretaries and every other person concerned in the management of the Companies and recover the said tax from such persons without further notice”

The FIRS also cautioned the tax defaulters that “for the avoidance of doubt, the above Section authorises the FIRS to proceed against and punish every officer, manager, director, secretary or any person concerned with the management of the company in like manner as if he/she had committed the offence.”