Importers To Face Hard Times As FG Slams Fresh 0.5 Levy on Cargoes
There are indications that the Federal Government has initiated plans to introduce 0.5 per cent levy on imported goods to raise funds to meet its obligations to the African Development Bank, the World Bank and other multilateral organisations.
The government will also tax all revenues from cryptocurrency and digital assets as well revenues from lottery operations and prizes.
This is contained in a document titled ‘Invitation to a One Day Public Hearing and Submission of Memoranda on the 2022 Finance Bill,’ released by the House of Representatives Committee on Finance.
The new levy was introduced into the 2022 Finance Bill under Sector 13 for Customs, Excise, Tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act. The document reads in part, “In addition to extant customs duties and other approved charges, a levy of 0.5 per cent is hereby imposed on all eligible goods imported into Nigeria from outside Africa to finance capital contributions, subscriptions and other financial obligations to the African Union, African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, Islamic Development Bank, United Nations and other multilateral institutions as may be designated by regulation issued by the minister responsible for finance.”
The government explained in the document that the amendment was essential to ensure certainty and sustainability of funding of the African Union and other key multilateral development institutions, “to bring into effect the Decision of the Outcome of the Retreat of the Assembly of the African Union (Assembly/AU/Dec.605; XXVII), and Federal Executive Council decision”.
The provisions of the Finance Act, 2022 may take effect from 1st January 2023, if it is passed by the National Assembly and assented by President Muhammadu Buhari before this year ends.