IRS threatens legal action against UNICAL over alleged N3.7b worth non-tax compliance

Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has threatened legal action against UNICAL (University of Calabar) if the institution continues refusing to comply with the state tax laws.

This was disclosed by Mr Ayi Okon, Director of Compliance in Cross River’s IRS during the official pasting of Non-tax Compliance Stickers at different spots in UNICAL premises on Monday.

Okon, who led a team of IRS officials to the institution, said they conducted a back duty audit on UNICAL from 2018 to 2022, and N3.7 billion worth of non-tax remittance was discovered and communicated to the institution by way of assessment notice.

According to the director, the university refused to respond within the stipulated time further that they issued a demand notice in April 2024, which they still refused to respond to.

“We issued a final demand notice in May but UNICAL still refused to respond; it was at the point we issued a pre-action notice that the university responded in writing.

“So, we obliged them a meeting after which we have had a series of reconciliation meetings where they made commitments but to date did not keep any of the commitments.

“We have been in contact with the institution’s bursar and the Vice Chancellor; they should know that withholding tax revenue due to the government is indirectly opposing the developmental projects of the state,” he said.

He added that if, after seven to 14 days, the administration of UNICAL does not show up, the IRS legal team will take further legal action.

On his part, Mr Emmanuel Esira, Director of Legal Services and Enforcement of Cross River’s IRS, said they have followed all the procedures as stipulated by the law, which was why they came to paste the non-compliance stickers.

He added that their actions were a step to further compel the institution to discharge its tax obligations to the state to prevent further legal actions.