Minister of the Federal Capital Territor (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has congratulated the Muslim faithful in the Territory on the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir and urged them to use the occasion to offer supplication to Almighty Allah (SWT) for a quick end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami
The Minister said this as part of his Sallah message, just as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). also joined the rest of the country to felicitate with Muslims nationwide.
In the spirit of the festivities and further to earlier palliative measures rolled out by the FIRS, in support of the Nigerian taxpayers against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced the extension of the deadline for filing of returns in a number of tax categories.
Malam Bello, in a stratement by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogubnleye on Thursday, reminded the Muslim Ummah that the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir is significant because it is a festival of sharing and caring for the less fortunate members of the society and urged them to use the occasion to reach out to the needy, especially those who have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The FCT Minister also called on residents not to be complacent about COVID-19 as it still remains a highly infectious and deadly disease adding that the protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and regular hand washing have been put in place to safe-guard against contracting the virus. Non-adherence to these basic protocols, the Minister continued, only puts more people at risk, increases the pressure on the economy and prolongs return to normal life.
He used the occasion to express his appreciation on behalf of the FCTA and residents of the FCT, to all health and other essential workers in the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19. He said that the FCTA and many residents of the city understand and appreciate the enormity of the sacrifices they are making in the course of the fight against the disease.
Mallam Bello, while urging residents to enjoy the festivities from the safety of their homes as all recreational parks and other leisure locations remain closed, once more wished all residents a memorable Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
A public notice signed by the Executive Chairman, FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami, reads: “the Management of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) wishes to felicitate with Nigerians on this occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. We thank the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness yet another Sallah festival especially in this year that has been very difficult for individuals and businesses. Nonetheless, the Service will continue to identify with the challenges of the times, which the taxpayers are going through.
“In furtherance of this, and, in addition to a number of COVID-19 palliatives already in place, as well as in the spirit of this Eid celebration, we hereby grant a further one-week extension from the 31st July 2020 deadline for Companies with December accounting year end to file their Year 2020 annual Income Tax Returns”.
The notice added: “For the purpose of clarity, companies that fall within this category will not be penalised for late submission, if they file their Year 2020 Income Tax Returns within the grace period, that is, 1st August 2020 to 7th August 2020 as herein granted.
“In a similar vein, the one-week grace period is extended to regular monthly obligations that become due at the end of July 2020, for example, Petroleum Profits Tax instalmental Payment, Withholding Tax and Value Added Tax Returns.
“FIRS will continue to respond proactively to the realities of these times, towards easing the burden of our esteemed taxpayers. Happy Eid -el-Kabir.”
Executive Chairman, FIRS, Muhammad Nami
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