By Sarah NEGEDU
Tax authorities in the nation’s capital say they are not relenting on their efforts of growing the territory’s revenue base and achieving its target of N200billion in tax generation by the end of 2022.
To this effect, the Federal Capital Territory Internally Revenue Services, FCT-IRS, yesterday embarked on aggressive tax awareness campaign aimed at improving tax payment culture among residents of the territory.
Acting Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, while leading a road show, warned that the service may resort to extant laws to prosecute defaulters, as it is an offence for organisations and companies to fail in filing their tax returns as and when due.
He further explain that the campaign will not be limited to the city center, but will be taken to all Area Councils to ensure that all residents are properly carried along.
Abdullahi said, “the road show was to create an impression that FCT-IRS exists and also tell the public our roles and services we provide, and to also enlighten the public on their responsibilities to the country and FCT in particular.
“We have realised that in the past years a lot of people have asked is there FCT-IRS. So it is our intention to now every January will be our tax enlightenment drive.
“We want to let residents in Abuja know that they have the responsibilities to pay their taxes and also file their tax returns. They should know that March 31st is deadline for filing tax returns, and there is penalty for defaulting.
“One way of achieving our tax target of over N200 billion is by the awareness we are creating today, so that more people will file their taxes and that will affect our bottom line.
“We are also taking our campaign to all the Area Councils and not just the city center. The FCT-IRS is guided by personal income tax and the FCT tax Act”, he added.
On his part, the Director of Tax Operation FCT -IRS, Mr Malik Tukur warned that tax evasion attracts sanctions.
“In other climes people are arrested for evading taxes. We want everyone to file their annual returns as and when due,” he stressed.
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