By PHILIP YATAI

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) says it will carry out aggressive enforcement against tax defaulters in 2025.

The acting Executive Chairman of the service, Mr Michael Ango, disclosed this at the 2024 end of year media briefing, in Abuja on Thursday.

Ango explained that the enforcement would be carried out after massive public enlightenment on residents? tax obligations and opportunity to voluntarily comply.

He said that the service would extend the enforcement to all taxpayers, adding that the FCT-IRS would not hesitate to impose the necessary sanctions and penalties under its laws.

?This will include filing criminal charges against tax offenders where necessary.

?We will provide multiple channels for taxpayers in 2025 and improve use of technology for tax compliance.

?We have already engaged a revenue improvement consultant who will support the FCT in this regard.

?We have also onboarded additional payment gateways for collection of tax revenue to afford taxpayers various options for paying their taxes,? he said.

Ango further said that the service would also establish kiosk offices in various markets, parks and other strategic locations in the FCT.

This, he said, would bring tax and revenue administration closer to the people.

The FCT-IRS boss also said that the service was considering the implementation of property taxes, including pools, betting and games taxes in the FCT.

He explained that the decision followed the recent Supreme Court decisions regarding powers of states to regulate and tax such activities.

He pointed out that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, was undertaking an aggressive infrastructural transformation in the FCT, which requires funding.

According to him, funding such capital projects would have to come from the Internally Generated Revenue in the FCT.

?This is why we are focusing on existing revenue that were hitherto not fully collected in the FCT such as stamp duties, capital gains tax and entertainment tax amongst others.

?We are equally collaborating with various agencies to ensure that Abuja residents are properly educated on their tax obligations.?

Ango said that the service was working to improve its processes and human capacity, adding that it had conducted 52 training programmes for members of staff in 2024.

He further said that the service was equally improving staff access to working tools and addressed various infrastructure challenges in its tax offices.

?We have equally revamped our Health Insurance Scheme to improve coverage for staff, and currently working to ensure that all our staff work in a conducive and work-friendly environment,? he said. (NAN)

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