The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed has called on tax payers across the country to continue to pay their Value Added Tax (VAT) to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
In a statement today, September 24 tilted: “VAT Collection: This is No Time for Litigations”, the Minister said that Nigeria, like other countries, is facing economic and revenue challenges and all hands must be on deck to make Nigeria pull through the difficult period. “Hence, it is not a time for litigations but to work in consensus.”
The Minister said that the Court of Appeal’s recent order for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum means that taxpayers should continue to pay their VAT and that FIRS should continue to collect VAT from taxpayers in all states of the federation on behalf of the Federal Government.
“And this will subsist until the final determination of the case on VAT collection before the Court of Appeal sitted in the FCT.
“The ruling of the Court of Appeal has provided the much needed certainty, clarity and consistency that will enable compliance without disruption to business while final resolution is being awaited.”
The Minister said that Government would continue to provide taxpaying public with updates on the matter, as proceedings unfold at the appellate court.
Confusion had been generated by the judgement of the Federal High Court sitting in Rivers State in Suit Number FHC/PH/CS/149/2020 and subsequent enactment of VAT laws by some States.
