The Kano State Government, through the Kano State Board of Internal Revenue Service, has sealed the headquarters of Max Air Limited, a prominent national airline, due to its failure to remit over N190 million in Pay As You Earn and other taxes owed from 2012 to 2017.
This was made known by the Director of Debt Management and Enforcement, Madam Ibrahim Abdullahi.
The company, owned by Dahiru Barau Mangal, who is connected to New Nigeria People’s Party leader Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, reportedly ignored multiple communications from KIRS, leading the agency to secure a court order for the office’s closure.
Max Air is among several companies targeted in a wider crackdown on tax defaulters by the state government, according to Politics Nigeria.
The enforcement team also sealed the office of Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company along Zaria Road for failing to settle over N241 million in PAYE and outstanding withholding tax liabilities for the period between 2021 and 2022.
In addition, Northern Rice and Oil Milling Nigeria Ltd, located at Gunduwawa Industrial Estate on Hadejia Road, also had its office sealed for similar tax violations.
KIRS officials explained that the closures were necessary to compel the companies to pay their outstanding taxes after failing to comply with numerous notices. The enforcement actions were taken after discovering discrepancies in the payment of taxes, prompting the agency to use legal means to ensure compliance.
“We went out to enforce payment of tax liabilities to make sure all liability taxes are paid as and when due as we haver. classification of taxes because our enforcement team found out there are discrepancies in the payment of the taxes,” he said.
“So, the agency found it necessary to take the measure in order to compel them to pay such taxes after several correspondences without positive responses from them,” he added.
