JUST IN: FIRS Can Collect VAT From Lagos Hotel Owners, Court Declares

Court rules: FIRS can collect VAT from Lagos hotel owners
…VAT is a consumption tax payable when goods are purchased and services are rendered.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is authorized to collect value-added tax (VAT) from Lagos hoteliers, according to a decision made by the Lagos-based court of appeal.

The ruling was given on Friday by the court following an appeal filed by the FIRS against the Lagos Hotel Owners Association of Nigeria.

VAT is a consumption tax payable when goods are purchased and services are rendered.

Recall that a federal high court in Lagos in 2019 barred the FIRS from enforcing VAT provisions on goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants, and event centres in Lagos state.

The court upheld the powers of the state government to charge and collect consumption tax from hotels, restaurants, and event centres within the state.

Displeased with the verdict, FIRS proceeded to the court of appeal and subsequently secured a stay of execution pending the outcome of the appeal filed.

In its ruling, the appeal court set aside the federal high court’s judgement, affirming FIRS’ authority to collect VAT from all taxpayers.

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The appeal court also struck out a counter-claim filed by the Lagos government against FIRS.

There is an ongoing legal tussle between FIRS and some state governments on the issue of VAT collection. But no date has been fixed for the hearing of the case at the supreme court.

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