The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has called on telecommunication firms and other stakeholders in the sector to reject an attempt to impose a five percent excise duty tax on telecom services. The minister stated that the sector had already been excluded from the excise duty tax with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari, which was announced on March 21, 2023. He emphasized that this announcement supersedes any other declaration on the matter.
The minister's statement comes on the heels of leaked reports indicating that the federal government is set to impose a five percent excise duty tax on mobile telephone services, fixed telephone, and internet services despite having earlier announced an exemption for the sector. The Fiscal Policy Measures for 2023, released via a circular on April 20, 2023, signed by the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, outlined the new tax plan.
However, according to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant Media/Spokesperson for the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman, the president's exemption of the digital economy sector from the excise duty tax still stands, even though there have been new attempts to impose the tax. The statement went on to say that the proposed tax is unjustifiable, and that the minister considers it burdensome to consumers of the service. The statement concludes with an assurance that any contrary announcement should be disregarded by the general public.
In summary, Minister Isa Pantami urges telecommunication firms and other stakeholders to reject any attempt to impose the five percent excise duty tax on telecom services, as the sector has already been exempted from the tax by the president's approval. Despite leaked reports suggesting a new tax plan, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy reaffirms the president's exemption, and any contrary announcements should be ignored by the public.
Share Your Thoughts