The Director of Legal Services of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Seyi Alade, has stated that the filing of tax is a constitutional duty of citizens of the country, News About Nigeria reports.
He disclosed this in an interview with newsmen, stating that there are legal provisions governing the filing of annual returns.
He noted that individuals who fail to file their tax returns are liable to face multiple jeopardies as stipulated by the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 as amended, adding that these jeopardies include both pecuniary fines and custodial punishments.
He further stated that individuals have legal rights to confidentiality regarding their tax information, adding that this right is protected by extant provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 as amended.
According to him, this provision prohibits tax authorities from disclosing taxpayer information to third parties except in circumstances strictly provided by the Act, maintaining that this confidentiality provision ensures that taxpayer’s sensitive financial information remains secure and is only accessed by authorised personnel for legitimate purposes such as tax assessment and enforcement.
He, however, noted that any breach of this confidentiality provision can result in legal consequences for the tax authority.
“Section 24 (1) (f) provides that, it shall be the duty of every citizen to declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly. Also, Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act, 2011 (as Amended) stated that a taxable shall without notice or demand, file a return of income from every source of the preceding year and within 90 days from the commencement of every year of assessment (before 31st March) to the relevant tax authorities,” he stated.
