As part of measures to further boost the ease of business in the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS, on Tuesday, unveiled an e-portal aimed at improving access to important tax-related services.
The portal, which the service says is user-friendly, is also expected to improve the quality of tax services and promote efficient tax administration in the territory.
Speaking during the unveiling, the acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, said the platform would harmonise convenience, transparency, and accountability in tax administration.
Abdullahi, who was represented by the acting Director, Tax Department, Chinwe Ndu, said that the platform was the IRS collection, receipting, assessment, and Tax Clearance Certificate, TCC, platform.
He added that the platform heralded an era where taxpayers can navigate their obligations with ease and efficiency, all at the click of a button from the comfort of their homes or offices.
The Chairman described the feat as a significant milestone in the journey towards revolutionising revenue management and collection.
He said that the e-portal harnesses the power of technology to enable both taxpayers and tax administrators to interact in a transparent, efficient, and user-friendly manner.
“The e-Portal stands as a testament to our unwavering dedication to our mission to provide effective and efficient tax administration through continuous innovation.
“This platform will help us bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, and propelling tax management further into the digital age.
“Whether you’re an individual taxpayer, a business owner, or a tax consultant, this platform has been meticulously designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
“Some of the features include the promotion of ease of doing business within the FCT, enhancement of accessibility to important tax-related services, simplified and streamlined tax services among other things,” Abdullai said.
Highlighting some of the features of the portal, the acting Director, ICT, James Olukotun, explained that the portal was a cloud-based application designed for tax collection, receipt, assessment, TCC management, filing of returns, registration, reporting and all services of revenue management.
Olukotun added that the platform was embedded with a Revenue Management System, RMS, portal and self-service e-portal.
He explained that the RMS was designed for officers of FCT-IRS to among other things, perform the functions of collection, registration, assessment, return filling, reporting, receipting and TCC issuance.
He said that e-portal self-service, on the other hand, allows both taxpayers and tax administrators to interact in a transparent, efficient, and user-friendly manner.
One of the technical partners of the service, Bosun Ayeni, Chief Executive Officer, Autocomm Services, noted that most states were faced with the challenge of revenue generation and collection.
Ayeni, however pledged continued support to FCT-IRS in the use of technology solutions to boost revenue generation and collections with a view to serve the people better.
Similarly, Mr Kumaiin Ikya, Deputy Director, Land Administration Department, FCT Administration, noted existing gaps in revenue generation and collection.
Ikya expressed optimism that the FCT-IRS technology-driven approach would bridge the gaps and ensure efficient tax administration and improve delivery of services in FCT.
