Announcing that it is facing economic and revenue challenges, the federal government begged taxpayers to pay their VAT.
This was contained in a public notice published on Thursday, following the confusion 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.
The public notice was issued by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning and signed by the Minister, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed.
The notice said, “VAT Collection: This is No Time for Litigations, 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.”
Ahmed said the Court of Appeal’s order for parties to maintain status quo ante bellum means that taxpayers should continue to pay their VAT, adding that FIRS would continue to collect VAT from taxpayers in all states of the federation on behalf of the Federal Government.
She said this will subsist until the final determination of the case on VAT collection before the Court of Appeal sitting 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 a final resolution is awaited,” she said.`
The Minister said the government would continue to provide the tax paying public with updates on the matter, as proceedings unfold at the appellate court.
