By Festus Fifen.
The FCT Internal Revenue Service FCT-IRS has set for itself a Revenue target of 202 Billion Naira for the 2022 Fiscal year as the Agency surpassed its 2021 target of N109Bn by 108% as at the end of November 2021.
Speaking during the end of year media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday Ag. Chairman of the service Haruna Abdullahi said the Service has so far collected and remitted the sum of N118Bn to the coffers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA at the end of November 2021..
In his words, ” In spite of the challenges faced by the Service and the FCT due to the impact of COVID-19, we were able to achieve and surpass our revenue target of N109Bn by 108% as at the end of November 2021.”
“The FCT Internal Revenue Service For the year 2022, we have a revenue target of N202 billion. Though it is a huge task but with determination and commitment of the Board members, Management, Staff, and stakeholders like you, we shall achieve the 2022 target.”
To achieve this set target, Mr Haruna Said the agency is planning series of Aggressive sensitization and awareness campaigns in the coming days to bridge the information gap and correct some of the misconceptions the public has concerning tax payment.
” It is important to inform you that we are planning to embark on an aggressive public enlightenment campaign and sensitization programme to educate and mobilize our prospective taxpayers with a view to boosting the revenue base of the FCT Administration.
” We will not rest on our oars, until the Service becomes the highest Sub National Revenue Generating Agency in the Country. We cannot achieve this alone; hence the need for the support of all our major stakeholders including the media.”
Speaking on those defaulting on their tax obligations Mr. Abdullahi said recovery and enforcement moves will also be made in the coming year.
” You will agree with me that since the inception of the Service, we have been educating and sensitizing the residents and taxpayers to their civic responsibilities. It is important to state that in the year 2022, the Service will also embark on enforcement in collaboration with the relevant law enforcement agencies. This is in accordance with Section 8 and Part V of the FCTIRS Act 2015. This resolve has become necessary to address defaulters who insist on shortchanging the FCT Administration.”
Abdullahi Also hinted that efforts are on to make sure the Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government regularize their tax obligations accordingly
” It is also important to let you know that we are currently meeting with about 250 MDAs for the review and reconciliation of IPPIS/Personal Income Tax/PAYE to address issues of wrong remittances, non-remittances and under-remittances of employees of MDAs in the FCT.”
” We are carrying out this exercise in collaboration with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Joint Tax Board. Let me use this medium to invite all the MDAs that are yet to come for the exercise to please turn up before the deadline of December 10, 2021″.
The Ag. Chairman while speaking on some of the innovations in the service that bright about the huge success recorded in the outgoing year said,
“the migration to the use of online platforms has increased our pursuit of making FCT-IRS a technology-driven organization. Aside the FCT-IRS Tax Portal, the Service has deployed its Microsoft Office 365 which aids collaboration and provides 24/7 remote access to all its resources and processes. This has improved productivity leading to improved customer satisfaction. Response time to customer requests has also been improved since systems can be accessed remotely.
” In the course of the year, we further understood the need for the residents and taxpayers to have offices close to them for ease of access and business. To this end three additional tax offices have been opened. These are Kuje, Bwari, and Gwarinpa to cater for the taxpayers residing and working in those areas.
” We have also automated the payment and filing of tax returns so that our taxpayers do not necessarily have to physically visit our tax offices. They can process payments and filing of tax returns in the comfort of their homes seamlessly and without hassle. FCT taxpayers also have our call centre number 0700 220 0002. Do not forget you can dial *7737*22 # for TIN verification. ”
” Also in the coming year 2022, it is our further resolve to have continuous engagement with stakeholders across the six area councils in the FCT to further strengthen the synergy and collaboration with the critical players across the FCT.” Abdullahi said.
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