The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has sealed the business premises of Phase3 Telecom and Cilantro Restaurant in Abuja after repeated warnings over unpaid tax obligations.
Addressing journalists during the enforcement exercise, the Acting Director of Legal Services and Head of the Enforcement Team, Festus Tsavsar, stated that the affected businesses had been given ample time to comply but failed to do so.
He disclosed that the revenue service had carried out extensive sensitisation campaigns to remind taxpayers of their obligations, but some businesses still refused to comply.
Tsavsar added that after exhausting all diplomatic means, the FCT-IRS approached the court to obtain an order to seal the premises of the defaulting businesses.
“Today, we are on this assignment to seal all the premises of the defaulting taxpayers. We have interacted with them, those who owe us, and they have tax liabilities which we’ve demanded payment for several times, but they didn’t pay. Some have also failed to file their annual returns.
“And of course, I’m sure you are aware that we have done a lot of publicity in this regard, calling on all taxpayers and residents of the FCT to file their returns. Unfortunately, this category of people has not done so. In addition, they owe the FCT-IRS significant tax liabilities, which they have refused to pay over a long period.
“So, in response, the service has gone to court and obtained court orders, which is why we are here to seal their premises, as directed by the court,” he stated.
The enforcement team first sealed Phase3 Telecom, located at No. 4 Yedseram Street, Maitama, over outstanding tax liabilities accumulated over three years.
Next in line was Cilantro Restaurant, with branches in Maitama and Wuse Zone 5, which was sealed for failing to file its tax returns for more than three years despite repeated notices.
“The first place we visited, Phase3 Telecom, owes the FCT a huge amount in unpaid taxes. We have sent multiple letters over the course of three years, yet they have refused to pay. They ignored all demand notices, making this a case of tax liability that is due to the service.
“In the case of Cilantro Restaurant, they have not filed their tax returns for over three years, which is why we are here. The court has granted us an order to seal their premises,” Tsavsar explained.
He added that the FCT-IRS had made several attempts to engage the businesses in dialogue, but they ignored all invitations.
“We have written to them multiple times, even invited them for meetings, but they have refused to attend,” he noted.
The FCT-IRS reiterated its commitment to ensuring tax compliance across the FCT and warned other defaulters to settle their tax obligations or risk similar enforcement actions.
Tsavsar noted that while corporate tax filings were due by 31 January, individual taxpayers have until 31 March to comply before similar enforcement actions are taken against them.
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