The Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has warned high-income individuals residing in the city, who provide false information about their income while filing their tax information to refrain from such acts.
The Minister issued the warning at a one-day tax seminar with the theme, “Reviving the Tax Culture of Filing Tax Returns, organised by the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Minister who was represented by the Mandate Secretary of FCT Economic Planning, Revenue Generation and Public-Private Partnership, Alhaji Lukman Agboola said it was worrisome that only 10 percent of registered residents of the FCT are contributing to the maintenance and development of the
territory by paying their taxes.
According to him, “As you are all aware, one of the canons of taxation is
fairness, such that payment of tax is proportional to the
income of the person.
” Therefore, tax should be equitable in
a way that amount of tax payable should be proportionate
to income.
” It is however worrisome that, according to reports reaching me, only 10 per cent of registered residents of the FCT are
contributing to the maintenance and development of the Territory by paying their taxes.
” This needs to change, both for fairness and entrenchment of the rule of law. We must begin to treat tax evasion as the
crime that it is, “ he said.
Bello encouraged all residents of the FCT to take filing of tax returns as an obligatory and necessary step towards supporting the socio-infrastructural development of FCT.
” We must understand that taxation is not just a means of providing funds for services and infrastructure, it is also a
means for the high earners to contribute for the upliftment of the quality of life of the low earners,” he added.
The Minister commended the FCT-IRS for its foresight in holding the seminar aimed at enlightening taxpayers of their very important civic responsibility of filing tax returns.
He said, “It is my hope that this seminar will chart a way for the FCT Internal Revenue Service to improve compliance to tax payment and the proper declaration of all income by all residents.”
Easy and Accessible
In his keynote address, the Managing Director, JK Consulting, Dr James Naiveju, urged the legislature, the judiciary, public servants and professionals to ensure timely and complete filing of their tax returns.
Naiveju said if all FCT residents agree to file their tax returns effectively, it would enhance the economy and reduce the rate of poverty.
However, he urged the FCT-IRS to simplify the process of tax returns by providing an effective electronic system that could be accessible on the go and on smart decices.
“A proud residents of the Federal Capital Territory has a moral and civil responsibility to file their tax returns with utmost patriotism to the fatherland.
” There must also be patriotism, determination, political will on the part of the authority to ensure that citizens file their tax returns as at when due,” he stated.
Hauwa Abu
