The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has issued a strong riot act to tax payment defaulters in the nation’s capital, warning them to desist from such menace, as it is impeding on effort towards improving the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) revenue base of the Territory.
Bello noted that their actions are not only morally wrong as they ride on the sweat of others, but are also serious criminal offences for which they can face very severe penalties on the conviction.
Delivering his keynote address, the Minister, who was represented by
the FCT Permanent Secretary, Olusade Adesola, yesterday, at a town hall meeting organised by the FCT, said
Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), aimed at enlightenin FCT residents and other stakeholders on the processes
involved in the issuance of Tax Clearance Certificate
(TCC), in Abuja.
He reiterated that if the relevant authorities of the FCT Administration are to continue to provide world class infrastructure for the city, they need a greatly improved revenue base which can only be attained by a robust tax policy where all who call FCT
home also contribute through taxes to her development.
“As residents and business owners, you have a sacred
responsibility of paying your tax to help the Administration
in ensuring the FCT that we desire.
” I therefore, use this opportunity to send a note of strong warning to tax evaders to desist from their actions”, he stressed.
According to him, the efforts of the FCT IRS, with the cooperation of residents of the FCT has ensured that the FCT is the second highest
internally generating sub-national in the country.
He however, noted that the FCT Administration is not unmindful of complaints about multiple
taxation and other sundry challenges in FCT tax regime.
“This matter is also of grave concern to us and we are taking
measures to resolve the issue because it also impacts
negatively on our efforts of encouraging investment in the
Territory.
“I therefore, commend the Ag. Executive Chairman and
management of the FCT -IRS for the initiative of holding
this public gathering that will enable residents and other stakeholders to fully grasp the import of this tax policy
which is designed to ultimately benefit us all”.
Earlier, the Ag. Executive Chairman FCT-IRS, Haruna Y. Haruna Y. Abdullahi,
in his welcome address , said while working towards ensuring provision of Taxpayer-centric services, it will not hesitate to take punitive
measures on defaulters of the law.
Abdullahi urged FCT residents and other stakeholders to choose voluntary compliance over compulsion, which would be last resort; adding that the growth and development of the FCT can easily be achieved when residents of the FCT pay their taxes as and when due.
According to him, “the demand and verification of tax clearance affects specific transactions required by individuals (residents of FCT) from FMDAs, FCT-SDAs and Financial Institutions to mention a few.
“Consequently, the failure to demand and verify a Tax Clearance Certificate presented by an individual is liable to
sanctions and possible conviction with a fine of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) or three
years imprisonment or both the fine and imprisonment according to the relevant tax laws.
“As the relevant tax authority for Personal Income Tax administrations, we have a
vital role to play in ensuring strict adherence to the contents of this publication.
“To this end, the FCT-IRS has trained its staff on effective monitoring and enforcement procedures as well as investigation for violations of any aspect of the tax laws”.
Among the deg nitrites that graced the occasion include :Chairmen of FCT Area Councils, representatives from CBN, FMSDAs, FCT-SDAs, Corporate and financial institutions
