By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
The FCT Internal Revenue Services ( FCT- IRS) has disclosed that it has achieved an increase in its revenue projection for for 2024 by 19.8% which brought the total amount generated to N252, 825,484,775,71 billion as against the sum of N211, 100,288,136.36 billion it generated in 2023.
Acting chairman, FCT-IRS, Michael Ango made this known during the Service end of year press briefing on Thursday in Abuja.
He also said the Service is set to implement tax harmonization starting from next year 2025.
Ango stated that they have reached an agreement with all the six area councils to collect all taxes on their behalf and there after disburse accordingly.
“Already revenue consultants have been engaged to ensure efficiency in collection from all the tax points.
The FCT tax boss said the minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike was engaged in massive infrastructural development, including administrative remodeling by creating offices that were not in existence as well as the implementation of the minimum wage, “all these require revenue,” he noted.
“We have different agencies in the FCT that collect revenue on behalf of the FCT Administration and these agencies sometimes or as the practice is right now collect all these revenue items individually. As we know, even globally this is not best practice and so the Minister has decided or has directed that all the agencies in the FCT must have one central point for revenue collection.”
He allayed the fears of area councils on revenue loses that the revenues would be collected on their behalf.
“However, this revenue will remain theirs. All we are doing is to assist them to collect and aggregate it. Thereafter the monies will be disbursed to them in their various accounts.”
Also, Mr. Ango revealed that FCT -IRS has finalised plans to collect Entertainment Tax which will be collectable from relaxation grounds, parks, restaurants, event centres and other entertainment activities.
He, however said they were merely implementing extant laws and not introducing any new laws.
“We are not trying to over burden the FCT residents, but if those taxes already exist in our books, it is our duty and obligation under the law to ensure that we implement those taxes and we collect those revenues. In any case, any revenue that is collected is usually used as we can testify for the benefit of all of us.”
To achieve all these, Ango said the Service was collaborating with agencies like the NFIU, the FIRST and others.
For ease of payment, the Service will from January, 2025 decentralise payment points.
“We’ll also be looking at using POS channels and all of that, especially for the low-income earners and also for those who are not within the city center. Additionally in 2025 we’ll be setting up kiosk offices in various locations in the FCT including markets, parks, plazas.”
