The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to extend the deadline for filing Companies Income Tax (CIT) returns and waive penalties following the technical failure of the newly introduced Rev360 tax administration platform.
The chamber said many businesses across the country have been unable to meet their tax obligations due to repeated disruptions experienced on the online platform, making it difficult to file returns and complete other statutory tax processes.
In a statement, the LCCI expressed concern over the challenges faced by taxpayers since the introduction of the Rev360 system, noting that several companies have encountered login difficulties, system errors and prolonged downtime that have affected their ability to comply with tax regulations.
According to the chamber, businesses should not be punished for circumstances beyond their control, especially when the technical issues originated from the government’s own digital platform.
The LCCI urged the tax authority to grant an extension of the Companies Income Tax filing deadline to allow affected businesses sufficient time to submit accurate returns once the platform becomes fully operational. It also requested that all penalties, interest charges and sanctions arising from delays caused by the system failure be suspended.
The chamber explained that many companies have invested considerable time and resources trying to access the platform without success, resulting in unnecessary operational disruptions and financial uncertainty. It warned that imposing penalties under such circumstances would place an additional burden on businesses that are already grappling with a challenging economic environment.
The business advocacy group further encouraged the Federal Inland Revenue Service to strengthen the technical capacity of the Rev360 platform by addressing system glitches, improving server reliability and providing timely support to taxpayers experiencing difficulties.
LCCI stressed that while it supports the government’s efforts to modernise tax administration through digital technology, successful implementation depends on the availability of a stable, efficient and user friendly system that businesses can rely on.
The chamber added that tax reforms should make compliance easier rather than create new obstacles for taxpayers. It noted that a responsive and dependable digital tax system would improve voluntary compliance, boost confidence among businesses and ultimately enhance government revenue collection.
The LCCI called on the Federal Inland Revenue Service to respond swiftly to the concerns raised by the private sector by extending the filing deadline, waiving penalties linked to the platform failure and ensuring that the technical issues affecting Rev360 are permanently resolved.
According to the chamber, taking these steps will demonstrate the government’s commitment to supporting businesses while promoting a fair and efficient tax administration system that encourages compliance instead of discouraging taxpayers.
SOURCE: VANGUARD NEWS
Leave a comment