Business

Ireland is Right to Resist US and OECD Led Calls for Global Corporation Tax Rate

Published

3 years ago

April 22, 2021

Evaluation of Public Accountability and Tax Culture among Tax Payers in Nigeria

Ireland is right to resist a global minimum corporation tax rate which could end up being a “masterclass in the law of unintended consequences”, affirms the CEO of one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and fintech organisations.

The comments from Nigel Green, the chief executive and founder of deVere Group, come as Ireland’s finance minister, Paschal Donohoe, signalled the country will push back against attempts to rework the global tax system.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been holding talks among 140 countries for several years and now says it hopes to reach a consensus by mid-2021.

Its plans have been given a boost by the Biden administration’s support for a minimum global corporate tax rate. “We’ve had a global race to the bottom in corporate taxation and we hope to put an end to that,” said the U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at a hearing in Washington last month.

deVere’s Nigel Green says: “Ireland is right to resist the U.S.-backed calls for a minimum global corporation tax. The plans are misguided and could turn out to be a masterclass in the law of unintended consequences.

“The lack of flexibility would considerably hinder countries’ ability in employing tax policy to generate foreign direct investment (FDI).

“This means that countries which are not especially appealing for investment, except for a low tax regime, will be left hugely disadvantaged.

“Foreign companies and international agencies would likely move elsewhere where there are low taxes as well as other important attractive draws, taking with them direct and indirect jobs and wealth, plus all the other associated benefits of FDI.”

He continues: “America’s call for a global minimum tax is also likely to further disadvantage developing economies.

“Whilst the minimum rate is not yet stated, but once it is, a multinational’s tax rate in each jurisdiction will be set against that minimum and if a lower rate is paid in that jurisdiction, a top-up tax will be demanded. And that extra tax-take will go where the parent company is domiciled.

“Considering that the majority of the world’s major corporations are in developed countries, namely the U.S., it seems the plans are tilted towards the wants and needs of those nations, and in particular of the U.S., already the world’s largest economy.”

The lack of autonomy is another reason why a blanket global corporation tax could curb economic growth, says Mr Green.

“Each country has unique economic characteristics and challenges. Under the plans, would a country be able to support certain key sectors of their economies, such as tourism or agriculture, by offering rebates when needed for example? It seems unlikely.”

In addition, for many companies, a global minimum corporation tax will hike their costs of doing business around the world. “Is this then the right policy to pursue as the world is trying to reboot after the pandemic?” asks Mr Green who also argues that these higher costs will ultimately be passed on to consumers and suppliers.

The deVere boss also says that the plans may be flawed as each nation will maintain its unique set of complex exemptions and loopholes that could still be used by powerful corporations.

He concludes: “A global minimum corporation tax rate will do little to level the playing field, and it might make it worse.

“Keeping tax and business policies competitive will help economies recover stronger and quicker.”

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Appointments

Keystone Bank Receives New Board Chairman, Directors From CBN

Published

3 hours ago

September 18, 2024

Bassey Marshall

It is the dawn of a new era for Keystone Bank, a top player in the Nigerian banking sector.

As part of a broader strategy to ensure sustained growth for Keystone Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a new chairman and board of directors for the financial institution.

The new board consists of a new board chairman, five non-executive directors, and two new directors, all carefully selected to take the bank to new heights.

The apex bank confirmed the latest development via a statement on Wednesday.

Steering the ship of leadership is Lady Ada Chukwudozie, as the new board chairman.

Lady Ada Chukwudozie, brings with her a truckload of experience.

A prominent figure in Nigeria’s corporate sector, Ada has nearly three decades of experience in business strategy, management, and administration.

Her expertise cuts across multiple industries, including De-Endy Industrial Company Limited, Dozzy Group, the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, and Vogue Afrique Magazine.

Indeed, to whom much is given, much is expected.

With her extensive background and experience, Ada will now shoulder the responsibility of guiding the bank toward achieving its long-term goals.

The good news is that she is not alone. Joining her on the board are five non-executive directors, each bringing their unique skills to the table.

The five non-executive directors are Abdul-Rahman Esene, Mrs. Fola Akande, Akintola Ayodeji Olusoji, Obijiaku Samuel, and Senator Farouk Bello.

Together, they will play a critical role in shaping the future of the bank.

Furthermore, two new executive directors, Ladi Oluwole and Abubakar Usman Bello were also confirmed by the CBN.

Meanwhile, Keystone Bank’s Managing Director and CEO, Hassan Imam, bragged about his confidence in the new team.

To him, he was certain they would drive the bank’s growth and ensure reliable service for customers.

Imam noted that their wealth of experience would play a crucial role in the bank’s continued repositioning and growth.

His words: “We are pleased to welcome the new chairman, non-executive directors, and executive directors to the board of Keystone Bank.

We are confident that their extensive experience will be invaluable as we continue to reposition the bank to seize emerging economic opportunities while maintaining strong corporate governance and providing our customers with a secure and reliable banking experience,” Imam concluded.

Recall that in January, the CBN dissolved the board and management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank.

Business

Dangote Refinery Clarifies Transaction Deal With NNPC, Says Payment Was Made in Dollars

Published

3 days ago

September 15, 2024

Temitayo Olukoya

Dangote Refinery has cleared the air on the deal it had with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), countering the alleged N898 per litter deal. The company disclosed that it sold Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in dollars.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Office of Dangote clarified the acclaimed N898 per liter deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

Dangote Refinery said, “Our attention has been drawn to a statement attributed to NNPCL spokesperson, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, that we sell our PMS at N898 per liter to the NNPCL.

“This statement is both misleading and mischievous, deliberately aimed at undermining the milestone achievement recorded today, September 15, 2024, towards addressing energy insufficiency and insecurity, which has bedeviled the economy in the past 50 years.

“We urge Nigerians to disregard this malicious statement and await a formal announcement on the pricing, by the Technical Sub-Committee on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, appointed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, which will commence on October 1, 2024, bearing in mind that our current stock of crude was procured in dollars.

“It should also be noted that we sold the products to NNPCL in dollars with a lot of savings against what they are currently importing. With this action, there will be petrol in every local government area of the country regardless of their remote nature.

“We assure Nigerians of availability of quality petroleum product and putting an end to the endemic fuel scarcity in the country.”

Business

Google, Facebook, Others Paid N2.55tn Tax in First Half of 2024 – Report

Published

3 days ago

September 15, 2024

Temitayo Olukoya

Google, Netflix, Facebook and other foreign companies operating in Nigeria paid N2.55tn in taxes to the Federal Government in the first six months of 2024, representing an increase of 158.76 percent from N985.27bn collected in the preceding period of 2023.

The figure includes Company Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT), collated from data obtained from the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, CIT is a 30 percent tax imposed on companies’ profit, and VAT is a 7.5 percent consumption tax paid when goods are purchased, and services are rendered and borne by the final consumer.

In 2020, the Federal Government had indicated plans to begin tax collection from foreign digital service providers offering services and earning revenue in naira due to its high acceptance by the Nigerian populace.

Some of these service providers, which are video streaming sites, social media platforms, and companies that offer downloads of digital content, are expected to pay digital tax to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Netflix, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), among others, which have been operating without a physical office in Nigeria, offer digital video and advertising services to Nigerians.

Others, like Alibaba and Amazon, generate revenue from Nigeria by processing and transmitting data collected about users in Nigeria, providing goods or services directly or through a digital platform, or offering intermediate services that link suppliers and customers in Nigeria.

Also, in January 2022, the Federal Government disclosed that it would charge offshore companies providing digital services to local customers in Nigeria a six percent tax on turnover as provided in the 2021 Finance Act.

A breakdown of the reports showed that the companies paid N1.72tn as CIT while N831.47bn was collected as VAT between January and June 2024. Nigeria’s earnings from CIT increased by 87.2 percent from N598.13bn in Q1 to N1.12tn in Q2.

Checks further revealed that the amount was the highest sum paid by the companies, contributing more than 45.3 percent to the N2.4tn collected in the second quarter.

A breakdown of VAT showed that Nigeria earned N435.73bn in Q1 and N395.74 in Q2, marking a reduction of N39.99bn.

On Tuesday, the Minister for Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, revealed that the Federal Government’s revenue for the first quarter of 2024 increased to N9.1tn, more than doubling the amount recorded in 2023 without increasing taxes.