Benue government seals hotels, hospitals and schools over tax evasion

Some schools, hotels and hospitals were on Monday, March 4, sealed by Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) over tax evasion and non-filing of annual tax returns.

BIRS’ acting chairman, Emmanuel Agema said the exercise was carried out to ensure compliance in the payment of taxes for the state development.

Some of the facilities sealed by the agency include Emory Specialist Hospital, Vincal Pharmacy, Graceland Suites, City Hospital, Peniel College, ECWA secondary school, Rose Asase schools, New Hotel Lucia and River Side Hotel all in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

Agema also said that sealing off of the facilities was necessary due to non-filing of annual returns and non-remittance of due taxes to the state government by the affected organisations over some time, even after a series of notices and reminders.

According to him, the state Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese,  in compliance with Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 and Section 41(1)(3)(4) of the Benue State Internal Revenue Law 2022 issued a warrant to seal the named organisations.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment towards adopting legal measures which include compliance enforcement and other regulatory actions to ensure that taxpayers do not default.