The Federal Government through the Budget Office of the Federation had earlier revealed that it would begin the implementation of its proposed telecommunication tax by 2023
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has backtracked from implementing a 5 per cent telecommunication tax proposed by the minister of finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed.
Ahmed had said she would implement the 5 per cent tax on all voice calls, SMS and data services, which the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami had kicked against.
The Federal Government has now announced the suspension of the proposed telecommunication tax.
Pantami, on Monday during the inaugural meeting of the Presidential Committee on Excise Duty for the Digital Economy Sector in Abuja, announced the suspension of the telecommunication tax.
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According to the minister, the telecommunications sector is already overburdened by excessive and multiple taxations.
The Federal Government through the Budget Office of the Federation had earlier revealed that it would begin the implementation of its proposed excise duties on telecommunication services and beverages in 2023.
However, Pantami has maintained that he is against the implementation of this tax, which would increase the cost of telecommunication services for Nigerians.