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Enugu State Internal Revenue Service has taken action by sealing Enugu ShopRite and SPAR due to their failure to remit purchase tax from their mall transactions to the government.
In a statement released on Tuesday morning after the enforcement operation, the service pointed fingers at the malls and stores in question, alleging their continuous failure to remit withholding purchase taxes despite prior warning notifications.
As per a statement signed by the spokesperson for the service, Nnamdi Eneh, officials of ESiRS have additionally sealed Roban Stores and Mama Onyinye restaurant, among other establishments, for the same violation.
Eneh explained that among the taxes demanded from the malls, stores, and businesses are purchase taxes on goods paid by buyers whenever they patronize their establishments.
According to Perpetual Egwuonwu, ESIRS HOD for eateries, bars, hotels, and shopping malls, the agency had repeatedly approached the sealed malls, urging them to remit purchase tax, but they consistently failed to fulfill their obligations.
Egwuonwu added they have also pleaded with the concerned individuals to remit their taxes when due, but “have been recalcitrant and till now they have not done anything concerning these instructions.”
“It is worthy of note that after we met with the Roban store they displayed our sticker and have complied with remitting their purchase tax to the IRS. On the other hand, ShopRite has frustrated all our efforts to get them to do the needful.
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“It is always one story or another eventually they promised us that before the end of February, they would do something but we are in March and the ESIRS have not heard from them,” she said.
Egwuonwu stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues at hand were resolved.
Meanwhile, Eneh explained that the agency had gone on air to enlighten and educate the people on the need to remit their taxes.
“Our public enlightenment program has been ongoing for a while now. We have been sensitizing the people and pleading with them to pay their taxes so as not to fall victim during enforcement, but most of them remained adamant.
He further stated that the objective there was not to disrupt anybody’s business, but since pleading did not work, that was the only way to compel them to do what they were supposed to do.
