Lagos State is cracking down on tax evaders by going straight to their banks and other institutions to recover what’s owed. The goal is to get more money for the state and stop people from dodging taxes.
State tax people said they can do this because current tax laws let them make banks, employers, and business partners act as bill collectors for those who don’t pay up.
Here’s how it works:
If you’re behind on taxes and ignore all the warnings, the government can tell your bank or anyone holding your money to hand over what you owe.
Officials say this isn’t a brand-new thing, but they’re starting to enforce it more seriously now because they’ve lost money over the years from people not following the rules.
The government is after those who always avoid paying taxes, including businesses and rich people who skip out on income tax and other levies.
If you pay your taxes, you don’t have to worry. They’ll only go after you if they’ve sent notices and given you chances to sort things out first.
Lagos State tax officials mentioned the parts of the tax laws that allow them to collect from third parties, saying it’s like what other big countries do.
Some people are worried about how this might hit businesses and their money flow, but others think it’s a good idea because taxes pay for things like roads, hospitals, schools, and other services.
The state government wants everyone to catch up on their taxes and warned that they’ll be coming down harder in the next few months.
If you’re having money problems, talk to the tax office. They said you can work out a payment plan or argue your case.
As Lagos grows, officials said that getting everyone to pay their taxes is needed to keep things running smoothly without borrowing too much.
