FCT-IRS embarks on tax drive to achieve 2022 N200bn target

The Federal Capital Territory Internally Revenue Services (FCT-IRS) on Tuesday embarked on an aggressive campaign to inculcate tax-paying culture on both individuals and organisations.

The Acting Chairman of FCT-IRS, Haruna Abdullahi, who led the roadshow, said awareness creation was one of the strategies the Service had adopted to hit its over N200 billion tax target in 2022.

Abdullahi said, “The roadshow 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 the deadline for filing tax returns, and there is a 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 centre. 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” Malik said.

Also, the Director Human Resource, FCT IRS, Mr Mohammed Jada, who spoke on the efficiency drive of the Agency, stated that programmes have been designed for training and retraining of staff towards building their capacity for maximum service delivery.

The deadline for filing Annual tax return for organisation, Employers or MDAs is 31 January 2022 while that of individual end on 31 March 2022.

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