Nigerians to pay duty rate on Phone calls and Data – Finance Minister, Zainab

Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed has announced that Nigerians will now pay five per cent inclusive excise duty on telecommunications services. This means a 12.5 per cent tax on telecommunications services.

The Minister who was represented by the Assistant Chief Officer of the Ministry, Frank Oshanipin made this known on Thursday July 28, at a stakeholders’ forum which was organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  on implementation of excise duty on telecommunications services in Nigeria

The Minister said the five per cent excise duty has been in the Finance Act 2020 but was not implemented as a result of government’s engagement with stakeholders.

“Payments are to be made on monthly basis, on or before 21st of every month.

“The duty rate was not captured in the Act because it is the responsibility of the president to fix rate on excise duties and he has fixed five per cent for telecommunication services which include GSM.

“It is public knowledge that our revenue cannot run our financial obligations, so we are to shift our attention to non oil revenue.

“The responsibility of generating revenue to run government lies with us all, she said