We made advance tax payment of N95.5bn to support govt’s revenue — MTN

MTN Nigeria has revealed that it has agreed to pay an advance tax payment of N95.5 billion between March 2021 and June 2021, ahead of the established deadline, to aid the government’s revenue collection efforts.

MTN Nigeria’s Company Secretary, Uto Ukpana, made the disclosure in a letter to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) yesterday in an attempt to clarify a “erroneous report in the media alleging that the company is indebted to the Federal Government of Nigeria” in respect of unpaid taxes.

“When asked earlier this year, the company agreed to make advance tax payments ahead of the established deadline to support the government’s revenue drive,” Ukpana explained.

“This was also the case in 2020, when MTN Nigeria paid its 2019 Company Income Tax (CIT) of N46.9 billion early in response to the FIRS appeal to support the government.

Ukpana stated that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) officially transferred the matter of MTN’s alleged indebtedness to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Nigeria Customs Service for resolution in a letter dated January 8, 2020.

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He stated that, as with previous requests of this nature, MTN had been happy to cooperate with the authority, providing evidence to demonstrate complete compliance, and that discussions were still ongoing.

MTN, he said, remained committed to operating in accordance with applicable laws and to contributing to Nigeria’s social and economic development.