We Reject 6% Stamp Duty On Rent – TUC
By UDO ONYEKA
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, says it has rejected the recent order by the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, to property owners and their agents to charge 6 percent Stamp Duty on all tenancy and lease agreements.
TUC in a statement signed by its President, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and Secretary-General, Comrade Musa-Lawal, said the Congress views this move as another ploy to further impoverish Nigerians.
The Statement said, ” Sometimes we wonder if there is any milk of kindness left in our leadership. Should enforcement of stamp duty on house rent and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) be on the priority list of the FIRS at a time the country is experiencing housing deficit and millions of Nigerians have lost their jobs?
” Till date there are countries that are still giving out palliatives to cushion the effect of the coronavirus pandemic. Some countries, apart from giving out palliatives also took the responsibility of the utility bills; like power, water, data, etc.
” We read that Ghanians will not be paying for power throughout this year. Why is our case always different? Why increase our burden now”, TUC queried.
According to TUC there are many bills Nigerians pay without enjoying commensurate services.
The Congress noted that already, tenants pay rent, agreement, caution, maintenance, waste disposal, Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, security among others.
The Congress said the addition of 6 per cent charge on rent is highly inhuman and makes nonsense of the new minimum wage which many states are yet to comply by paying.
The said it is wrong to tax people more when the Governments have not managed the loans collected, revenue from multiple taxes, VAT and money from fuel hike, judiciously.
” It is shameful that FIRS is asking for such at a time the tax payers’ money is being mismanaged by agencies of government. The NSITF and NDDC are currently being probed by the National Assembly over financial impropriety. The question is: have they managed the trillions of naira that daily accrue to the federation account well? Why must the poor be squeezed just to enrich those in government”, TUC said.
The Congress advised the Federal Government to immediately order the FIRS to stay action if it does not want to incur the wrath of workers and Nigerians. It said Government should make use of the recovered loot and also widen the tax net to include a large number of the rich if the country really desperately needs money.
“Nigerians are already down and should not be further pressured. “Also, the mineral deposits all over the country should be explored by government, not by individuals. Government must get serious with governance, and stop inflicting unnecessary pains on Nigerians”, TUC said.
