” You can kill or jail me, I have nothing to pay”. Iyabo Ojo replies Lagos Govt
Nollywood actress, Alice Iyabo Ojo is angry with officials of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS, for imposing on her an outstanding tax liability to the tune of N18.6 million.
LIRS, agency of the Lagos State Government wants her to pay a total sum of N18, 640, 092 in seven days or face severe sanctions.
“We refer to the declaration of income and claims for reliefs and allowances on the Etax.lirs.net filed our platform for income year 20222. Based on review of your returns and in line with Section 54 of the Personal Income Tax Act, You are hereby assessed to tax liability in the sum of N7, 376, 000.00 as contained in the enclosed assessment notice.
“Consequently, you have an outstanding of N11, 264, 092.00 for 2021 income year. You are enjoined to pay a total sum of N18, 640, 092.00 to government coffers through any of the designated bank within seven days letter, using the following codes: agency code: …
“Failure to comply with the above directive, this office would in addition to the tax due impose penalty and interest as provided for in sections 76 & 77 of the referenced Act”, LIRS said in the later signed by Director New Growth Area, Jimi Aina for the Executive Chairman.
Writing on the letter, Iyabo Ojo lashed out at the agency querying how they came about what she classified as outrageous personal income taxes.
“After paying you for different types of taxes for one’s businesses, house and all, you still come up with all this huge amount and give me 7 days to pay up.
“Last time you people asked me to come to your office, I came , you asked me to explain and declare what I earn, which I did with my tax consultant but no, you did not respond to my letter because you want me to pay you an outrageous amount that I do not have. Make I go thief ni? I ask again. How do you people come up with such outrageous bills?
“I don’t know how much you think I get paid, hence your team will come up with this conclusion”, she said, wondering what the state government has ever done for her personal benefit.
“What have you people ever done for me as a government? Nothing. I have single-handedly raised my kids and so many others plus myself without a single (deny)peny from the government, yet you feel so entitled to reaping over 100 percent from where you did not sow.
“I have worked and I am still working tirelessly to survive in this country without the support of the government but you just sit in your office and come up with different outrageous bills.
“Nothing is working right in this country, but yet you feel the need to take from where you have not sown. Since you guys insist, you can gladly come and closed down my businesses, arrest me and jail me, or kill me for all I care…
“This will eventually be everyone’s faith…. What I do not have I cannot give. I have no fear”, she said.
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