The reasons why we are imposing tax on dead bodies — Govt gives explanation – Crime Channels
The reasons why we are imposing tax on dead bodies — Govt gives explanation
The Enugu State Government of Enugu State has on Sunday disclosed that its decision to impose tax on corpses in mortuaries across the state was not spurred by a revenue generation drive.
The decision was explained by the Executive Chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Mr Emmanuel Nnamani, while commenting on the Mortuary Tax circular sent to all the morticians.
He stated that the tax was consistent with the longstanding Mortuary Tax Law in the state, emphasizing that it was not a recent addition.
Nnamani revealed that the mortuary tax is only N40 per day, not N40,000.
He said: “It is an indirect tax paid by mortuary owners, not deceased family and it is just N40, not N40,000. Since its introduction, nobody has been denied burying their dead ones.
“It means that if the corpse stays in the mortuary for 100 days, the mortuary is expected to pay the state a sum of N4,000.
“The tax is not meant to generate revenue but to discourage people from taking their dead ones to the mortuary all the time.”
According to the circular, ESIRS has approved the implementation of the Mortuary tax in accordance with section 34 of the Birth, Deaths and Burials Law Cap 15, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004.
The statement continues: “The sum of N40.00 only is to be paid by owners of a corpse once it was not buried within twenty-four hours. The amount continues to count daily.
“Kindly ensure that owners of corpses make the payments before collection of the corpses for burial and then remit the same to the ESIRS in any commercial bank under the mortuary tax in Enugu State IGR Account.”
