MTN, Airtel, Others Appointed By FIRS To Withhold VAT Charged To Them

MTN, Airtel, as well as money deposit banks in Nigeria have been appointed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to withhold Value Added Tax (VAT) charged on all taxable supplies made to them, and remit to the Service.

This is contained in a Public Notice the FIRS issued on the 7th of November, signed by its Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, where it explained the role of the companies as well as the obligations of their suppliers with regards to the withholding of Value Added Tax.

“This Notice is given to all persons carrying on trade, profession or business of any kind, tax practitioners and the general public that, with effect from 1st January, 2023; in line with the provisions of Section 14(3) of the Value Added Tax Act Cap. V1 LFN 2004 (as amended), the following companies are appointed to withhold or collect VAT charged on all taxable supplies made to them: MTN; Airtel; and all money deposit banks—as defined by the CBN Guidelines.”

The FIRS noted that these companies were expected to remit the tax they would withhold on or before the 21st day of the month immediately following the month the tax was withheld, in the format prescribed by the Service.

“The companies shall remit the tax withheld or collected, in the currency of transaction, to the Service on or before the 21st day of the month immediately following the month the tax was withheld or collected;

“The tax withheld or collected under this notice shall be remitted in the format prescribed by the Service but separately from VAT due on the companies’ taxable supplies.”

The notice further explained the options that were available to suppliers of these companies whose output tax is withheld.

“A supplier whose output tax is withheld, as provided in this notice, may deduct the input tax paid on the goods purchased or imported to make the taxable supply from the output tax collected on other taxable supplies,

“And where the input tax paid to make the supply is not fully recovered from the output tax on other taxable supplies, the balance is refundable to the supplier; provided that a supplier who is entitled to a refund may utilise the amount refundable to offset future VAT liability or request for a cash pay-out,” the Notice explained.

It further noted that the Service has instituted adequate measures to ensure prompt payment of refundable input tax under this arrangement, while also stating that input tax claims, which include refunds, are subject to the limitations imposed by Section 17(2)(a) of the VAT Act.

Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola
Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, FIRS
(Media & Communication)
November 7, 2022

JASONjnr:
This country.....

If this is obtainable, then they should stop the court from asking them to bring people with tax evidence to bail people...But we've been paying taxes through our SP and at malls and other transactions....


We get taxed for almost everything.....Making calls...Using your data....Sending SMS...buying fuel....

Infact, since Buhari came to power....We get taxed for everything and we get absolutely nothing from the government....

extol1:
Nigeria leaders are wicked, so they are still taxing people more in this retrogressive economy

olufolarin2222:
Come what may, We'll survive

Lawalabiodun:
Yet there is nothing tangible to show with all the extortion from us, blessed Nation with useless leaders.

extol1:
Nigeria leaders are wicked, so they are still taxing people more in this retrogressive economy

olufolarin2222:
Come what may, We'll survive

Lawalabiodun:
Yet there is nothing tangible to show with all the extortion from us, blessed Nation with useless leaders.

saferoom:
Hmmm. Let me check something

arazanbal:
They want to use the citizen's money (all in the name of tax) to pay for loans they collected from china and embezzled before living office

JASONjnr:
This country.....

If this is obtainable, then they should stop the court from asking them to bring people with tax evidence to bail people...But we've been paying taxes through our SP and at malls and other transactions....


We get taxed for almost everything.....Making calls...Using your data....Sending SMS...buying fuel....

Infact, since Buhari came to power....We get taxed for everything and we get absolutely nothing from the government....

culf:
God help us!

I enter street go hustle, dem comot vat. I carry remaining change enter shop to buy something drink, them still collect VAT. yet I pay for my water, I pay for my security etc.
what are they using my vat for?