Renowned actress Iyabo Ojo has responded defiantly to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) regarding a tax levy she received from the government. The Nation reports that Ojo was given a seven-day ultimatum to settle the outstanding amount.
The LIRS had requested that the Yoruba actress pay a sum of N18,640,092.00 as personal income tax within the stipulated seven days, warning of consequences for defaulting. The tax authority claimed that Ojo had a tax liability of N7,376,000.00 for the year 2022 and an outstanding liability of N11,264,092 for the 2021 income year.
Expressing her displeasure, Ojo took to her verified Instagram handle to share pictures of the tax demand letter from the LIRS. She boldly declared her refusal to pay and even expressed her willingness to be arrested.
In her post, Ojo addressed Governor Jidesanwoolu and the Lagos State Government, questioning the rationale behind the exorbitant personal income taxes imposed on a regular basis. She expressed frustration at being required to pay such a substantial amount within a short timeframe, despite already fulfilling her tax obligations for her businesses and properties.
Ojo narrated her visit to the LIRS office to explain her earnings as a businesswoman, only to receive the outrageous tax levy from the state government. She asked how the government arrived at such excessive bills and expressed her disbelief at their conclusions regarding her income.
Furthermore, the actress questioned the government’s contribution to improving her life, highlighting that she has single-handedly raised her children and herself without any assistance from the government. She criticized the notion of the government feeling entitled to reap over 100% from her hard-earned income.
Expressing her frustration with the current state of affairs in the country, Ojo criticized the government for seeking to extract from those who have not benefited from their policies. She concluded her post by inviting the government to arrest and imprison her, as well as shut down her business since she is steadfast in her refusal to pay the tax levy.
Iyabo Ojo’s defiant stance against the tax demand reflects her dissatisfaction with the system and raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the tax assessment process.
