FINANCE MINISTER WARNS NIGERIAN TAXPAYERS AGAINST FAKE VAIDS OFFICIALS

Finance Minister

Nigerian taxpayers have been cautioned to be wary of dubious persons claiming to be tax officials from the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS).

This warning was contained in a statement released on Sunday by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun.

According to the statement from the Finance Minister, citizens should demand written notice when they receive phone calls from tax officials.


“My attention has been drawn to reports of some unidentified tax officials requesting for bank details and address of taxpayers", Adeosun said.

“If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the tax office, do not panic. Ask them to send you a written notice. Do not provide any details like your address or bank details".

Penultimate week, during the VAIDS Sensitisation Programme which held in Kaduna, the governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, and the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun had honoured a consistent taxpayer, Alhaji Lema Jibrin.

Governor el-Rufai had disclosed that Lema Jibrin, a businessman and textile mqnufacturer had consistently paid tax to the government for 40 years.

“Elder Lema Jibrin, the Dan Iyan Katsina, is the most tax compliant Nigerian. He has been paying his taxes consistently for 40 years and has not relented or evaded the payment of taxes".

The Honourable Minister for Finance, Kemi Adeosun urged defaulters to take advantage of VAIDS, which will end on March 31.

Earlier, Adeosun said tax defaulters would be named and shamed after the
programme ends.