TUESDAY, October 12^th, 2021: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has insisted that all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and cooperative societies have responsibilities under the tax laws to fulfil their tax obligations irrespective of the nature of their operations.

According to FIRS, all organisations, institutions and companies that engage in ecclesiastical, charitable, benevolent, literary, scientific, social, cultural, sporting or educational activities of a public character must comply with tax provisions.

The FIRS and the Joint Tax Board (JTB) in a webinar jointly organised by the FIRS and the European Union-funded, British Council managed Agents for Citizen Driven Transformation (EU-ACT) Programme, emphasised that CSOs have been given the responsibility to file tax returns and statements of affairs, adding that the tax authorities would demand payment of taxes from CSOs only when the CSOs were engaged in businesses and make profits from the business ventures.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Muhammad Nami, who was ably represented by the Coordinating Director, Compliance Support Group of FIRS, Dick Irri, while declaring the webinar open, said FIRS would continue to partner with stakeholders such as the co-organisers of the programme in their drive to help educate taxpayers on their responsibilities.

The Director, Tax Policy and Advisory Department of FIRS, Temitayo Orebajo in his presentation on the tax obligation of CSOs refuted claims by some individuals that CSOs have no tax obligation.

“There is a penalty for CSOs not filing and there is a penalty for late filing. Whether you (CSOs) have something to do or not, you have the responsibility to file. After one year you are registered, in order not to run afoul of the law, you need to go and file at least your statement of affairs. It may be just a one-page document.

“All CSOs are expected to register for tax purposes and obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The following documents are required for tax registration: A copy of the registration certificate issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) or any other instrument of registration; Certified True Copy (CTC) of memorandum and articles of association, constitution or rules and regulations governing the CSO; list and profiles of the Trustees/Board members nominated and other relevant documents,” he said.