The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) requests all international shipping companies operating in Nigerian territorial waters in whatever capacity to immediately regularize their tax positions.
Chronicle NG reports, In a signed statement, Muhammad Nami, Executive Chairman of FIRS, made this known to the public on Monday.
This notice is published further to FIRS’ circular No. 2021/14 dated June 3, 2021, on the “taxation of international shipping and air lines” and the public notice of December 17, 2021, on the “tax compliance of international shipping lines”.
The circular provides the basis for the taxation of international shipping lines in
Nigeria and the public notice requested all international shipping lines to regularize their tax affairs with the Federal Inland Revenue Service within three months of the date of that publication. The Service observed that many international shipping lines have not complied with the tax obligations imposed by extant tax laws.
Consequently, the Service hereby requests all international shipping companies operating in Nigerian territorial waters in whatever capacity (containerized, bulk cargo, fishing trawlers, crude oil or natural gas lifting vessels, dredging, survey, floating, production, storage, and offloading, etc.) to immediately regularize their tax positions.
All affected international shipping lines must conclude the regularization of their outstanding tax returns at the Non-Resident Persons Tax Office (17B Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos) not later than December 31, 2023.
The Service is collaborating with relevant government regulatory and security agencies in the maritime sector to commence enforcement action on all defaulting shipping companies after the expiration of the grace period on December 31, 2023.
