By Daniel Tyokua
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has begun moves to start enforcement against tax defaulters across the territory.
The Acting Chairman Mr Haruna Abdullahi gave the indication when he paid a courtesy visit to the leadership of Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) in Abuja, recently.
In a statement issued by the Head, Corporate communications, Mustapha Sumaila, said it is no longer business as usual as the Service is ready and committed to ensure all the taxpayers in FCT are accountable and responsive to their civic duties.
According to the statement, the FCT-IRS is empowered by law to recover all outstanding tax liabilities as well as penalize tax defaulters.
It said considering the number of the taxpayers in the FCT, it is shameful to see that so many of them are not complying, “we need to change that, we are engaging the Judiciary, Security Agencies, the media and other relevant stakeholders on this matter, I can assure you, before the year runs out, people will be held accountable.
“We are ready, we have built our capacity and it is our intention to make our mark and ensure that people do what they are supposed to do according to the law. We will be guided by the Personal Income Tax Act, Finance Act, FCT-IRS Act and of course, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” he said.
The statement assured the Tribunal of the internal capacity of the Service to deliver, and charged members of the Tribunal to justify the confidence reposed in them by the law by working assiduously towards ensuring that recalcitrant taxpayers are brought to justice.
The chairman stated that some of the derivable benefits the collaboration will bring to both parties and the country to include voluntary tax compliance, evident growth of the tax net, awareness creation on FCT-IRS processes and the responsibility of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.
He said others include stringent enforcement actions which will ultimately result to a significant boost in revenue generation.
He disclosed that through this step, more individuals and agencies will be held accountable for failing to pay taxes as and when due. This is in line with the engagement being carried out by the Service with the judiciary, security agencies and other stakeholders.
her response, The Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Hajara Bolanle Oniyangi stated that it is important for the Service to harness all areas of revenue generation as permissible by law.
