By Dare Ojelade, Lagos
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) is providing succour for business owners in the state as it has extended the period for filing of Annual Returns for taxpayers in the state, The Gazelle News.com reports.
A press statement from the LIRS on Monday, 30 March, 2020 stated that the decision to extend the deadline was taken to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus-induced alterations of socio-economic activities on businesses and taxpayers in the state.
The extension, according to the statement, would last for two months; between 1 April and 31 May, 2020.
Statutorily, the filing of annual returns expires on the March 31st of every fiscal year, and attracts stiff penalties for defaulters.
“With this extension as announced by LIRS, taxpayers are given a breather,” the statement said.
According to the Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Ayodele Subair, “the extension of deadline of the Annual Returns is in response to appeals made by taxpayers as well as a policy shift by the agency to assuage the effect of COVID-19 on the taxpayers and residents of Lagos State. “We implore the taxpayers to access our eTax platform for all tax operations and administration matters, including filing of annual returns from the comfort of their homes and offices. They can do this, by simply logging on to the eTax platform via https://etax.lirs.net or calling our Customer Care Centre on 0700 CALL LIRS (070022555477)’’.
The statement explained further that while further updates on business operations and alternative payment platforms of the service can be obtained by visiting the LIRS website, (www.lirs.gov.ng), and its various social media handles, the management and staff of LIRS appealed to the residents of Lagos State to support the efforts of the Lagos State Government led by Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu by adhering strictly to the COVID-19 safety guidelines as issued by relevant health authorities.
Copyright: The Gazelle News.com
