great664:
So my manager called me this morning that Revenue in Jos, Plateau State came to demand Tax for having TV and Radio in my shop (mind you, it's strictly for entertainment only)...

I have paid normal shop/office revenue and also Banner revenue...

What is Radio and Television Revenue?

Help us because this state won't stop milking business owners.

Check the demand notice attached.

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
1999

Fourth Schedule



Functions of a Local Government Council





1. The main functions of a local government council are as follows:

(a) the consideration and the making of recommendations to a State commission on economic planning or any similar body on -

(i) the economic development of the State, particularly in so far as the areas of authority of the council and of the State are affected, and

(ii) proposals made by the said commission or body;

(b) collection of rates, radio and television licences;

naptu2:


According to the constitution local governments are responsible for collecting radio and television license fees. We inherited this practice from the British.

Xisnin:

Britain tax its citizens to operate public radio and cable such as the BBC.

Most Nigerians however only use private channels so this tax is inappropriate.

naptu2:


According to the constitution local governments are responsible for collecting radio and television license fees. We inherited this practice from the British.

naptu2:


http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm

naptu2:


There were no private channels when we inherited the tax from the British (that provision has been in every constitution since 1960).

great664:


That's for having Radio/Television in my business place?

Xisnin:

Laws are made for men, not men for the law.
We also inherited the parliamentary and regional government from the Brits?
Where are those systems today?

"It used to be that way" is not a sound argument.

naptu2:


Yes.

It began in the UK because the BBC was not authorised to carry advertisements and they did not want the government to fund it directly. Therefore, people had to get a license to own a radio or TV set.

We inherited it from the British and it has been in our constitution since then, despite the fact that the NTA and Radio Nigeria are allowed to carry advertisements.

It's not a law by the local government or by Buhari. It's in the constitution. In fact, in Lagos, they've started collecting license fees for car radios.

The only way to remove that provision is by a constitutional amendment

great664:
Inside life

naptu2:


Now, since you now know that there is such a thing as radio/TV license, my advice is that you should investigate that notice to find out if it is genuine. 30,000 naira is a very high rate.

Local governments know that this is one of the few ways that they can get money from citizens and local government officials also know this, so you have to investigate and find out if this is the real rate or whether a local government official is trying to extort money from you.

great664:


Okay... So I have to pay license for having a TV and watching Private channels on it in my shop?

ursullalinda:



Wetin man no go see.....So all this aboki's carrying radio up and down will be taxed.....hmmm.....very funny