Nigerian celebrities risk 5-year jail term for evading taxes and asset declaration

The Federal Government plans to punish and possibly jail Nigerian celebrities and entertainers who evade taxes after a nine-month grace period set out by the recently launched voluntary asset and income declaration scheme (VAIDS) elapses. For the past 15 months, the FG via various agencies and departments, including the private sector, has been gathering information on tax compliancy of many celebrities and high net worth individuals in the country.

Highly qualified agents of the federal ministry of finance have been working with the banks, Nigeria Financial Intelligent Unit (NFIU), bureau de change (BDCs), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), to monitor the degree of tax compliance of many celebrities and high net worth individuals.

The government has also reviewed land ownership, ownership of exotic cars, yatchs, private jets and other luxurious properties to understand the earnings and assets of many of these persons, relative to their taxes. Following massive revelations, the government launched VAIDS, a scheme that allows these celebrities and other Nigerians to declare their assets and income, and pay necessary taxes without interest, penalty or investigation.

The scheme, which will run for nine months, is a grace period for the celebrities to make amends or face the full wrath of the law, which could include jail term of up to five years. For celebrities with houses in exotic locations worth millions of naira, and a tax record not consistent with the value of the property, the government advises that such celebrities complete form VA1and clarify sources of income for the house and pay necessary taxes within July 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

Celebrities who do not take advantage of the scheme risk up to five-year imprisonment, get severe extra penalties: up to 100 per cent of the outstanding tax due, a compound interest at 21 per cent per annum, and forfeiture of such assets.