The Federal Government has beamed its searchlight on building owners in highbrow areas of the country as the tax amnesty under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) gradually draws to a close.
The nine-month grace period which the government granted for regularisation of tax status commenced from July 1, 2017 and will end on March 31, 2018.
According to reports, after the expiration of the amnesty, the Federal Government will begin to move against tax defaulters, starting with owners of buildings with high net worth in highbrow areas of the country.
The affected places in the pilot phase include Maitama, Asokoro, Garki ll, Wuse ll in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and those on Banana Island and its environs Magodo, Lekki, Ikoyi in Lagos state.
The Nation reported that FG through its data mining agency, ‘Project Lighthouse’ has obtained information about building owners across the country from state governors.
Working together, the state governments and Federal Government have provided electronic searchable data base for individual and corporate property owners with the following key information: Name of owner, plot number, location and Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) number.
Quoting an unnamed presidential source, the paper reported that the bank account details vis-à-vis tax records of the building owners were being examined by the Project Lighthouse team.
The property owners are reportedly being targeted as their lifestyles do not reflect in their tax payment.
The searchlight would then be beamed on northern, south east and south south states subsequently.
According to the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, the Federal Government will begin prosecution of tax offenders from April 1.