₦airaland Forum

Gajagojo:
You are not listening
You are just talking
The act is a federal law .
We operate a constitutional system.
Federal laws are not absolute . They are subordinate to the constitution
If you grasp that then there is no need for this
The states do no not need a federal law to permit them to collect what is theirs

It is under the exclusive legislative list sadly. This why you see tax uniformity in Nigeria. Honestly the 1999 constitution was written by fools.

Schedule II. Legislative Powers
Part I. Exclusive Legislative List
59. Taxation of incomes, profits and capital gains, except as otherwise prescribed by this Constitution.

C. Public Revenue

162

1. The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be paid [b]all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except [/b]the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the armed forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or department of government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

ednut1:
you clearly look like someone who has never worked in Nigeria lol. Warri used to have major oil companies and other services companies presence but they all ran during the itsekiri, ijaw and urhobo crisis. Dangote situated his refinery in lagos because of insecurity and priracy. This is why i said stop comparing usa with Nigeria. If akwa ibom offered him zero paye taxes he won’t still have built it there. In America states have police, there is social security number to capture almost everyone in the tax base. For now our main issue is expanding taxable individuals and companies . Alot of people are not paying taxes or even in the tax base.

Lol you're rambling about everything except the point I laid out. Tell me how does having a uniform Income tax benefit states. Dont ramble about anything else till you address that point. I already addressed taxes aren't only thing to consider but you seem to be doubling back on that issue. I also said states will have to expand tax base regardless if the tax was uniform or not.

Do you really believe companies won't move over tax cuts? I find that pretty interesting you think major companies won't consider a getting a pay raise incentive to relocate.

aieromon:
The competitive edge you talked about is the absence or low state tax rates. Everybody still pays a uniform federal income tax. In comparison, all the states in Nigeria have zero state income tax like Texas.

I mentioned hypothetical advantage in the event there wasn't a uniform tax. You're misunderstanding me. If it's uniform there's no incentive based on the income taxes. The other taxes levied or benefits derived in each state would be the factors to consider.

aieromon:
I think what you failed to mention is that each person in the US pays a federal income tax in addition to the state income tax.

The US federal tax income is uniform across the states as well.

In Nigeria, we have no "state income tax" and the "federal income tax" goes directly into the states' purses.

I'm not talking a put federal income tax so I don't see the relevance. All federal taxes are uniform across states. Only the territories in the United States are excluded from income tax like Puerto Rico. Your point about the federal government essentially imposing a tax they do you collect is interesting. It's sensless, busybody behavior.

AnyanwuSilas:
If Nigeria is a federal state then why did police fail to enforce anti grazing law made by Benue State government and others?

Nigeria is far from practicing true federalism.

Benue people are not allowed to sell beer in Kano and are not allowed to ban cattle grazing.

OK, you admit your first point was nonsense?

Who told you the police didn't enforce anti grazing laws. I'm going to cite newspapers as proof they do since that's how you like to prove your points. The problem with the anti grazing law is the punishment isn't much of a deterrent since you can just pay the fine instead of doing jail time. This means it's just an extra fee to do business.

The arrests were made in the last three years from November 1, 2017, the date of the commencement of enforcement of the law and October 31, 2020.

Represented by his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Michael Gusa, the Governor explained that “of this number, 261 persons have been convicted, 21 persons have been discharged, 36 cases are still pending, while investigation is ongoing on other cases.

“The law has also witnessed the arrest, arraignment and conviction of five cattle rustlers. The convicted rustlers were of Fulani extraction, who confessed to the crime in open court. Besides, the law has ensured the arrest and arraignment of people irrespective of their ethnic groups or religion.

“Most of the convicts were able to pay fines and were released while many who could not were sent to jail ranging from six months to two years.”

ednut1:
PAYE rate in all states are the same. States cannot change it. Check the personal income tax act below. Stop comparing Nigeria with America. We dont have same economic climate or circumstances. Majority of the states in Nigeria have been unable to administer or collect the taxes. Alot of people are farmers in states outside lagos, ph, abuja, kano etc and have never filled taxes as per self employed. Alot of companies deduct paye taxes and dont remit, some dont even have signboards outside their premises .You are talking about incentives. Some states have nothing in place or economic advantage to even attract companies there. States with bad roads, no amenities, no electricity, no industries can’t attract companies na. Most states just wait for FAAC allocation monthly from abuja. No incentive to do anything.You are thinking too far hahaha

https://www.firs.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Personal-Income-Tax-Act.pdf

After all this typing you didn't bother to explain how or why a uniform income tax rates benefits the states. It's weird how you guys ignore the elephant in the room. I pointed out how tax policy attracts businesses and poeople already to certain states. I didn't claim It's the only thing that does.

I won't stop comparing America to Nigeria when it's appropriate. States improving tax collection is necessary regardless if the income tax is uniform therfore it doesn't negate the point. The incentive is there especially if your a semi competent state. Let's take Akwa Ibom for example to attract oil companies to relocate HQs. If tax laws were different they could simply opt for a flat tax on income or none at all.

Every state levies a PAYE tax, aka income tax. From what I can tell, it's uniform across the various states. If that isn't the case, please correct me. Assuming its uniform between states it makes certain states less competitive when attracting businesses. If it were free for all, it would encourage more competition between states to attract talent workers and companies. Maybe some states would opt for a flat tax, other a graduated income tax and other no income tax.

Just for comparison sake look at the various income tax rates in America. If you happen to read business news in America you'll notice companies move HQs or thousands out states for various reason including taxes. Having no income taxes helps Texas attract business, for example.

Here's the various state income tax rates in America.

Types of income taxes

• No tax income tax.
• Flat tax. (That means they tax all income, or dividends and interest only in some cases, at the same rate.)
• Progressive tax. (That means people with higher taxable incomes pay higher state income tax rates.)

State:
1. Alabama - 2%-5%. Tax rate - $500-$3,001 Lowest and highest tax bracket (income)
2. Alaska - Does not have a state income tax.
3. Arizona - 2.5%- Flat rate.
4. Arkansas - 2.0%-5.5%. Tax rate - $4,300-$8,501.
5. Colorado - 4.4%. - Flat rate.
6. California - 1%-12.3% Tax rate - $10,099-$677,276.
7. Connecticut - 3%-6.99% Tax rate - $10,000-$500,000.
8. Delaware - 0%-6.6%. Tax rate - $2,000-$60,001.
9. District of Columbia - 4%-10.75%. Tax rate - $10,000-$1,000,000.
10. Georgia - 1%-5.75%. Tax rate - $750-$7,001.
11. Florida - Does not have a state income tax.
12. Hawaii - 1.4%-11%. Tax rate - $2,400-$200,000.
13. Idaho - 5.8%. - Flat rate
14. Illinois - 4.95%. - Flat rate
15. Indiana - 3.15%. - Flat rate
16. Iowa - 4.4%-6%. Tax rate - $6,000-$75,000.
17. Kansas - 3.1%-5.7%. Tax rate - $15,000-$30,000.
18. Kentucky - 4.5%. - Flat rate
19. Louisiana - 1.85%-4.25%. Tax rate - $12,500-$50,001.
20. Maine - 5.8%-7.15%. Tax rate - $24,500-$58,050.
21. Maryland - 2%-5.75%. Tax rate - $1,000-$250,000.
22. Massachusetts - 5%. - Flat rate
23. Michigan - 4.25%. - Flat rate
24. Minnesota - 5.35%-9.85%. Tax rate - $28,080-$183,341.
25. Mississippi - 0%-5%. Tax rate - $10,001 and over is subject to a 5% flat rate.
26. Missouri - 1.5%-4.95%. Tax rate - $1,207-$8,449.
27. Montana - 1%-6.75% Tax rate - $3,600-$21,600.
28. Nebraska - 2.46%-6.64%. Tax rate - $3,700-$35,730.
29. Nevada - Does not have a state income tax.
30. New Hampshire - 4%. - Flat tax on dividends and interest income only.
31. New Jersey - 1.4%-10.75%. Tax rate - $20,000-$1,000,000.
32. New Mexico - 1.7%-5.9%. Tax rate - $5,500-$210,000
33. New York - 4%-10.9%. Tax rate - $8,500-$25,000,000.
34. North Dakota - 1.10%-2.90%. Tax rate - $44,775-$491,350.
35. North Carolina - 4.75%. – Flat rate
36. Ohio - 0%-3.99%. Tax rate - $26,050-$115,300.
37. Oklahoma - 0.25%-4.75%. Tax rate - $1,000-$7,200.
38. Oregon - 4.75%-9.9%. Tax rate - $3,750-$125,000.
39. Pennsylvania - 3.07%. - Flat rate
40. Rhode Island - 3.75%-5.99%. Tax rate - $73,450-$166,950.
41. South Carolina - 0%-6.4%. Tax rate - $3,200-$16,040.
42. South Dakota - Does not have a state income tax.
43. Tennessee - Does not have a state income tax.
44. Texas - Does not have a state income tax.
45. Utah - 4.85%. - Flat rate
46. Vermont - 3.35%-8.75%. Tax rate - $45,400-$229,500.
47. Virginia - 2%-5.75%. Tax rate - $3,000-$17,001.
48. Washington - Does not have a state income tax.
49. West Virginia - 3%-6.5%. Tax rate - $10,000-$60,000.
50. Wisconsin - 3.54%-7.65%. Tax rate - $13,810-$304,170.
51. Wyoming - Does not have state income tax.

AnyanwuSilas:
If Nigerians are not under Sharia Law why are beer businesses belonging to Christians destroyed in Northern Nigeria

It's destroyed because Nigeria is a federal state. How does this logic make sense to you if the majority of States don't ban the sale of alcohol? If you believe in federalism you should be fine with doing so. Since the sale of alcohol isn't in the exclusive list they can ban it. If your issue is about taxes being shared that derives from alcohol sales that another conversation.

Penguin2:
Same thought here.

Are they going to reunify the emirate again and dethrone the other Emirs?

We are talking about 4 Emirs that have garnered loyalty and followers with a lot of people making their daily bread out of their benevolence or employment.

If you dethrone these guys, I doubt they will be able to withstand its ripple effects.

They should just allow Sanusi remain dethroned.

Lol You dooms day prophets need to seek therapy. Why do you guys have so much anxiety over any change? When the emirate was split into four what chaos occurred? Did we see riots, vandalism or increase in violent crime? If It reverts to the norm these guys will find new jobs assuming they're sacked. It doesn't matter what happens to this figure head position. The people of Kano seem to adapt peacefully.

kettykin:
I don't know if it's too early to ask this question

What does Islamic colonization entail? If you can define it we can answer it.

Armaggedon:
You mean Abuja has overtaken Lagos in passenger traffic despite Lagos huge population?

Air traffic and population don't have to correlate. Atlanta international Airport is the busiet Airport in America and it not the largest city. It beats out Los Angeles that should be the 2nd largest city. I can understand New York because there's three airports there.

Yes he should cancel the program because it's just a year of government extracting cheap labor out graduates. It would be better for the graduates if they just begin their careers earlier. I don't think he would if the poll below is to be believed.

abhosts:
Nigerians still practice a very primitive system of identification. In western countries, you can run for office at any location you live, as long as you are a citizen. No one cares where your grand parents came from.

Is there a rule against running for a political post you're not from? I don't believe any state has laws on the book but correct me if I'm wrong.

slivertongue:
Not needed now

When do you believe it's needed?

CodeTemplar:
between cheaper petrol and school feeding or cash transfer, which one creates wealth most? Petrol subsidy it is.

Lol transfer payments don't create wealth. Go read your economic textbook.

CodeTemplar:
You regurgitating needless fact and drawing illogical conclusions.
There will be more money in govt hand but what about the corruption that's everywhere including where the saved funds will be used?
To add to the nonsensically conceived though, those pushing us to remove welfare are seriously doing welfare.

I already told you fight corruption. The fuel subsidy creates problems regardless of corruption. The money saved could simply be left with the tax payers but would likely go into other capital projects. Yeah they're doing welfare it doesn't negate the facts laid before your face. Their citizens pay for those welfare programs directly from their pockets and its not equal distributed either. You can be offended but facts are market solutions to fuel price lead to a better outcome. People will have more fuel available and more jobs will be created to refine fuel domestically. I don't understand why Nigerians whine about paying market price for fuel when poorer neighboring countries do it.

CodeTemplar:
The point here isn't tax increase but about whether petrol subsidy, arguably the most evenly distributed intervention from to all citizens be scrapped because of corruption? Corruption is everywhere and the solution is to handle the petrol subsidy corruption. Not pretending that change in hands handling the funds will do any magic.

Petrol subsisidy removal serves to save the government money. In order to maintain subsidy they have to intervene heavily in the market with price controls. These controls lead to shortages because its set below the market price. It also hinders investment in the sector buy private sector because business wont see profits. When diesel subsidies were removed these ranging from corruption to shortages didn't occur. You kill two birds with one stone removing fuel subsidies. You can still fight corruption and get rid of the subsidies.

CodeTemplar:
The point here isn't tax increase but about whether petrol subsidy, arguably the most evenly distributed intervention from to all citizens.
To answer you still, high taxes will be accepted by most Nigeria if there is no corruption involved.

Your first sentence is an incomplete thought.

Are you ready to pay 1/4 of your money to sustain these welfare programs?

Chimok:
Between 1954 and 1964, Eastern economy was described as the fastest growing and industrializing economy in the world by Harvard reviews, faster than China, Singapore and Asian Tigers..

What percentage was the GDP growing at? What percentage were the tiger regions growing at?

Hitler deserved it. If anyone disagrees who should been person of the year. The award is supposed to go to most influential/impactful person.

This is a man who has said there's no money to pay salaries, pensions and death benefits where does he wants the incoming government to get funds to sponsor this his celebrity lifestyle.

Lol we'll see if Benue has a rubber stamp assembly.

Kukutenla:
Seems you have a problem with understanding. I said the vigilante did MOST of the arrests but you failed to see that part.
You brought 2 screenshots with a total of 40 out of 400. I guess the rest were arrested by ghosts.


What does this mean if not absolving the FG
You're quick to label Ortom a failure but excuse the FG's attitude as disagreement.
That's blatant hypocrisy

You seem to have selective reading comprehension. The newspaper doesn't carry reports of every arrest made so saying its only 40 is dumb. I also said you don't have data on who did the arrest to make claims who did more. You're simply speculating and can't back up with you're saying with any source. That's why you haven't tried.

It seems you don't understand basic words like hypocrisy just like you struggled with math and reading earlier. Saying it's OK to disagree about policy doesn't mean I absolved them from the rampant criminality. The can hold whatever opinion on the policy the want as long they don't inhibit it. They did not inhibit the policy as you can see with the arrest. I'm not concerned with opinions but actions.

Hypocrisy would be me saying ortom a failure for the soft on crime policies but saying the FG soft on crime policies are OK. I did not say Buhari did well on crime or that his policies are right. If I did, that's hypocrisy or, more accurately, a double standard.

Hypocrisy: the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.

Double Standard: a rule or principle which is unfairly applied in different ways to different people or groups.

Kukutenla:
You're the one who is failing basic maths. The law was passed in 2017 while the article you posted is 2020.
The police did not arrest the criminals. Rather, it was the vigilante service that did most of the arrests. I believe what constitutes a crime should not be a matter for disagreement especially where safety and security of lives and properties is involved. Those should be above politics.
Laying the blame squarely at the doorstep of Ortom is absolving the man who is higher than him in the political ladder but gave tacit endorsement to law breakers cause of tribal identity

You're reading comprehension also needs work. I didn't say the article was six years old. I asked did the police stop herdsmen from leaving the state for the past 6 years? Lol why do you continue to lie saying police didn't arrest criminals. You tried saying nobody was convicted in court till you were exposed. Can't you Google before telling lies? You have no numbers on how many arrest the police or vigilantes made. You're just speculating.

You're free to your opinions not facts. I didn't absolve Buhari or says Ortom is solely responsible. If you want to attack a strawman that's fine. Lol there's a reason NBS stopped publishing crime stats.

Pleasant01:
Lol

He won't show his face here.

Kukutenla:
Six years?
The article you quoted was in 2020 which was almost three years after the law was enacted.
The presidency's disagreement further emboldened the herdsmen as well be expected when you have backing from the highest levels of power.
In 2022, herdsmen attack in benue was an almost monthly affair.
And to absolve the chief security officer of the country, who controls all the security apparatus of blame and instead blame the gov who does not control any security apparatus but made cogent effort to to curb them is hypocrisy at least.

The law was passed in 2017. Do basic math that's six years. The police did their jobs arresting the criminals. You're not always going to have agreement between states and federal government. His disagreements is no consequence if they state and police stand firm. Nobody absolved the president for failing at his job.

Kukutenla:
People were still killed while the law was in effect and it's on record the presidency was against him based on that law.
The reason he also gave is based on intelligence that some people are claiming to being unfairly treated by the law wish to leave the state but can't due to the law as well.
The suspension is for two weeks.
The facts about conviction does not negate the fact that your claim that Ortom failed in regards to the herdsmen crisis is a lie by your own submission.
You can't claim 400 herdsmen have been arrested based on the law and still claim Ortom failed.
You sound confused

Did the police stop the herdsmen from leaving for the past 6 years? They're no longer ignorant of the law they unfairly treated by it. The law wasn't enforced strictly hence 6 years after you see you see people breaking it opting to pay the fine to do business. I'm sure you didn't bother reading article that was cited did you. The presidency's disagreements didn't stop the law from being enforced. The convictions don't change my opinion because it's not enough.

Lol if, you don't learn now. You'll keep repeating this pattern. In another six years give suspend the law. Do another half hearted enforcement complain then start the cycle over again.

“The law has also witnessed the arrest, arraignment and conviction of five cattle rustlers. The convicted rustlers were of Fulani extraction, who confessed to the crime in open court. Besides, the law has ensured the arrest and arraignment of people irrespective of their ethnic groups or religion.

“Most of the convicts were able to pay fines and were released while many who could not were sent to jail ranging from six months to two years.”

Kukutenla:
In that case, you were wrong to claim that gov Ortom is being soft on crime.

No, he is soft on crime. He's suspending enforcement temporarily instead of increasing enforcement for flimsy reasons. When more people are murdered that requires tougher law enforcement on criminals to send a message. You're just ignorant on the matter thats why you didny know the basic facts about convictions. Lol it's crazy how you can argue about a subject you know know nothing about.

He said the suspension was to show a good fate to all those who claimed to have come into the state without knowing there is Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 that is solely anti-grazing.

Have they agreed to move the Headquarters yet?

Kukutenla:
Have you been to a police station before?
Police can decide to let go of someone if they feel there's no ground to hold him especially in matters of crime against the state.
Let me put a poser to you. How many herdsmen have you seen that appeared in court in Benue?
You think none were arrested by the state vigilante service?

I've been to the police station. The police can clearly see a herdsman a bovine following behind them. They're not letting them go because there's no evidence because there's no grounds. They're also not giving them police bail or there'd be reports on multiple herdsmen skipping bail with warrant out for their arrest. If your story is to be believed there's a paper trail to follow. The fact Ortom hasn't made these claims shows that likely isn't the case.

Its been confirmed by the state that the police are doing their jobs. The courts prosecuted the herdsmen. I'm sure vigilante are doing the part as well. If you want to call Ortom a liar go ahead.

The arrests were made in the last three years from November 1, 2017, the date of the commencement of enforcement of the law and October 31, 2020.

Represented by his Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Michael Gusa, the Governor explained that “of this number, 261 persons have been convicted, 21 persons have been discharged, 36 cases are still pending, while investigation is ongoing on other cases.

Kukutenla:
I think we should understand the limit of govs powers before we criticize them.
It was the last amendment signed into law last month that moved prisons to concurrent list.
Also, only the federal police have the power to prosecute. So you can arrest and hand over a suspect to the police and the police decide to let him go on whatever grounds they deem fit.

You're incorrect about the police just releasing them on whatever grounds they feel like. They would be held till they see a judge for bail conditions. If the police were just releasing criminals left and right Ortom would have blamed them by now on camera. The police don't prosecute the state prosecutors do the prosecuting. Those lawyers act on evidence the police supply them. If you want to absolve Ortom for his failures do so with facts.

Your point about prisons being added to the Concurrent list recently is true. Now that the state has the power he should be asking the legislature to pass strict laws on bail conditions and building prisons. What you see him doing instead is suspending enforcement. What's the logic behind doing this today if you're not trying to encourage bad behavior?

Did the law work as intended? It's been 3 years and I haven't seen anyone do anyone do a follow up on the results. It's normal for to judge laws on their intentions instead of their results.

naptu2