Nigerian lawmakers propose “Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill 2020” to fight Covid-19

24 March 2020

Nigerian lawmakers propose “Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill 2020” to fight Covid-19

Nigeria’s House of Representatives has proposed a Bill for an Act to provide for tax relief, suspension of import duty on selected medical goods and deferral of residential mortgage obligations. The measures are expected to protect jobs and alleviate the financial burden on citizens in response to the economic downturn occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19 disease.

The main objectives of the Bill are:

To provide temporary relief to companies and individuals and alleviate the adverse financial consequences of a slowdown in economic activities as a result of Covid-19
To protect the employment status of Nigerians who might otherwise become unemployed
Provide a moratorium on mortgage obligations for individuals
Eliminate additional fiscal bottleneck on the importation of medical equipment, medicines, personal protection equipment etc
Cater to the general wellbeing of Nigerians pending the eradication of the pandemic and a return to economic stability

Fiscal stimulus provided under the Bill:

Job protection - any employer duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C20 LFN 2004 which maintains the same employees status without retrenching their staff as at 1^st of March 2020 till the 31^st of December 2020 shall be entitled to 50% income tax rebate on the total amount due or paid as PAYE under the Personal Income Tax Act Cap C8 LFN 2004 as amended (it is unclear whether this will be a refund of PAYE tax paid by the state or a corporate income tax refund by FIRS using PAYE as the basis). Reduction in number of employees due to death arising from natural causes, voluntary disengagement, or disengagement by virtue of a breach of the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004 are exempted. Also, companies that are partly or wholly under the Petroleum Profit Tax Act are not eligible for this relief. The period may be extended by the President if the COVID-19 disease persists subject to ratification by a majority of the members of the National Assembly.
Deferral of mortgage payment - This relief applies to mortgage payments under the National Housing Fund. The Bill provides that all payments of mortgage obligations on residential mortgages obtained by individual contributors to the National Housing Fund will be deferred for a period of 180 days effective from 1^st of March 2020. This may be extended by the President for a further period not exceeding 180 days subject to a majority vote by members of the National Assembly.
Import duty waiver - Effective from 1^st of March 2020 to 31^st of December 2020, the Act will grant waiver of import duty on medical equipment, medicines, personal protection equipment and other medical necessities required for the treatment and management of Covid-19 disease in Nigeria. The import duty waiver period may be further extended by the President in exercise of his powers under the Customs & Excise Tariffs etc (Consolidated) Act.

Coverage

In line with Section 2 of the Bill, the provisions of the Act (when enacted) shall apply throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Read our alert for further details Download PwC Tax Alert_Nigeria Covid Economic Stimulus Bill

Here is a copy of the Bill Download Economic Stimulus Bill

Taiwo's Channels TV interview to dissect the Bill

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Comments

The main objectives of the Bill are:

To provide temporary relief to companies and individuals and alleviate the adverse financial consequences of a slowdown in economic activities as a result of Covid-19
To protect the employment status of Nigerians who might otherwise become unemployed
Provide a moratorium on mortgage obligations for individuals
Eliminate additional fiscal bottleneck on the importation of medical equipment, medicines, personal protection equipment etc
Cater to the general wellbeing of Nigerians pending the eradication of the pandemic and a return to economic stability

Fiscal stimulus provided under the Bill:

Job protection - any employer duly registered under the Companies and Allied Matters Act Cap C20 LFN 2004 which maintains the same employees status without retrenching their staff as at 1^st of March 2020 till the 31^st of December 2020 shall be entitled to 50% income tax rebate on the total amount due or paid as PAYE under the Personal Income Tax Act Cap C8 LFN 2004 as amended (it is unclear whether this will be a refund of PAYE tax paid by the state or a corporate income tax refund by FIRS using PAYE as the basis). Reduction in number of employees due to death arising from natural causes, voluntary disengagement, or disengagement by virtue of a breach of the Labour Act Cap L1 LFN 2004 are exempted. Also, companies that are partly or wholly under the Petroleum Profit Tax Act are not eligible for this relief. The period may be extended by the President if the COVID-19 disease persists subject to ratification by a majority of the members of the National Assembly.
Deferral of mortgage payment - This relief applies to mortgage payments under the National Housing Fund. The Bill provides that all payments of mortgage obligations on residential mortgages obtained by individual contributors to the National Housing Fund will be deferred for a period of 180 days effective from 1^st of March 2020. This may be extended by the President for a further period not exceeding 180 days subject to a majority vote by members of the National Assembly.
Import duty waiver - Effective from 1^st of March 2020 to 31^st of December 2020, the Act will grant waiver of import duty on medical equipment, medicines, personal protection equipment and other medical necessities required for the treatment and management of Covid-19 disease in Nigeria. The import duty waiver period may be further extended by the President in exercise of his powers under the Customs & Excise Tariffs etc (Consolidated) Act.