The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on Sunday warned those wishing to take advantage of the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme in regularising their tax status to be mindful of fake tax officials.

She said this in response to the reported activities of some fake tax officials who claimed to be officials of the VAIDS.

Adeosun advised taxpayers to demand for written notices whenever they received phone calls from tax officials.

In a statement on Sunday by her Media Adviser, Oluyinka Akintunde, the minister stated, “My attention has been drawn to reports of some unidentified tax officials requesting for bank details and addresses of taxpayers.

“If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the tax office, do not panic, ask them to send you a written notice. Do not provide any details like your address or bank details.”

The VAIDS programme offers a grace period from July 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018 for tax defaulters to voluntarily pay back to the government what they owe.

In exchange for full and honest declaration, the government promises to waive penalties that should have been levied and waive the interest that should have been paid on overdue taxes.”