Senate bill to impose tax on GSM and cable TV subscribers passes first reading

The Bill for an Act to establish the Communication Service Tax which is sponsored by a former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume passed its first reading at the Senate on Wednesday October 2. 

The Borno Senator argued that the proposed tax which will be replacing the 2.2 per cent increase in the Value Added Tax being planned by the Federal Government, was better as an increased VAT will lead to an increase in price of goods and services. 

He added that the communication service tax which charges nine per cent on calls and data will ensure the distribution of wealth in such a way that it won't affect the ordinary people.

The bill reads in part, “There shall be imposed, charged payable and collected a monthly Communication Service Tax to be levied on charges payable by a user of an electronic communication service other than private electronic communication services.

 “The tax shall be levied on electronic communication services supplied by service providers.

“For the purpose of this clause, the supply of any form of recharges shall be considered as a charge for usage of electronic communication service.

“The tax shall be levied on such electronic communication services like voice calls, SMS, MMS, data usage – both from telecommunication services providers and internet service – as well as pay per view TV stations.

“The tax shall be paid together with the electronic communication service charge payable to the service provider by the consumer of the service.”