A shocking revelation has surfaced on social media as a Nigerian payroll company stands accused of embezzling employees’ taxes, leaving many startups in disbelief. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), user @hackSultan alleged that the company had been collecting millions of naira in PAYE (Pay As You Earn) taxes from startups but remitting a meager ₦100 to the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS).
The Shocking Allegations
According to the post:
- The payroll company allegedly collects substantial tax payments from startups but remits only ₦100 to LIRS.
- To cover their tracks, they reportedly forge payment receipts to match the full tax amounts they were supposed to remit.
- The whistleblower urged startups to verify their PAYE remittances by physically visiting the tax office to confirm whether their taxes were properly handled.
In his words:
“This Nigerian payroll company has been stealing employee tax (PAYE) from all the startups using them. They collect millions from us and remit just ₦100 monthly.”
“They remit ₦100, get a receipt for it, then forge new receipts to match the full amount they were supposed to remit and submit that.”
A Call to Action for Startups
The whistleblower warned startups, particularly those in the tech sector, to double-check their tax remittances.
“If you’re a Nigerian startup using @bento_africa, please visit FIRS and confirm that they’re remitting all the PAYE they’re collecting from you.”
He further disclosed that his own company stopped using the payroll service after discovering the alleged fraud. However, he suspects the malpractice may have been ongoing throughout 2023 and potentially beyond.
“During the period we engaged their services, they remitted only ₦100 and faked payment transactions to FIRS,” he added.
Public Outcry and Discussions
The revelation has sparked heated discussions online, with many questioning the accountability of payroll companies and the need for better transparency in Nigeria’s tax system.
Startups and affected companies are now urged to take immediate action to confirm their tax compliance status.
What Should You Do?
If your company has used this payroll service:
- Visit your local tax office (LIRS or FIRS) to verify your PAYE remittances.
- Check for discrepancies between what was collected from you and what was actually remitted.
- Take legal or corrective action if you find irregularities.
This serves as a wake-up call for Nigerian businesses to ensure greater vigilance in their dealings with third-party payroll services.
Accountability matters—don’t let your taxes get lost in the wrong hands. 🚨
