By Ismaila Jimoh, Abuja
In a move aimed at modernising tax administration and promoting voluntary compliance, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service FCT-IRS has launched a new tax management platform christened Taxporta.
The step according to the Service was to enable tax payers register, file returns, pay taxes and obtain Tax Clearance Certificates online in line with the Nigeria’s 2025 tax reform.
The platform was unveiled on Tuesday by the Executive Chairman of FCT-IRS, Michael Ango during a stakeholders engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDA, at the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Complex in Abuja.
He said the initiative marks a significant milestone in the Service’s digital transformation agenda.
According to Ango, the upgraded platform is designed to make tax administration more efficient by allowing taxpayers to complete virtually all tax-related transactions remotely without visiting FCT-IRS offices.
“Any serious institution, whether in the public or private sector, must move with the times. This is a continuation of our digital innovation process to ensure taxpayers can access our services from the comfort of their homes or offices without having to visit our offices physically,” he said.
He explained that Taxporta is a fully integrated self-service platform through which taxpayers can register, file tax returns, calculate tax liabilities, make payments, generate receipts and obtain Tax Clearance Certificates without third-party assistance.
Ango noted that the portal has been configured to reflect the provisions of the new tax laws, automatically applying statutory reliefs and allowances once taxpayers input their income details.
“All the allowances provided under the law have already been embedded into the system. Taxpayers simply provide their income information, while the platform computes their tax liabilities, processes payments and generates tax clearance certificates,” he added.
The FCT-IRS chairman expressed optimism that the platform would improve revenue collection and support the agency’s drive to exceed its annual revenue targets.
“Our objective is to maximise tax collection. We are not fixated on a specific figure. If our target is ₦400 billion or ₦500 billion and we eventually collect ₦600 billion, that would be a welcome outcome,” he said.
Despite the stricter provisions of the new tax laws, Ango maintained that the Service would continue to prioritise voluntary compliance rather than punitive enforcement.
“The law provides for penalties, but our first approach is always voluntary compliance. Where taxpayers have genuine reasons for delay, we are willing to grant extensions. Penalties only become necessary when there is deliberate refusal to comply,” he stated.
He described the FCT-IRS as occupying a unique position as both a Federal Government agency and an institution of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, making collaboration with MDAs essential to effective tax administration.
According to him, the stakeholder engagement was organised to sensitise government institutions on the implementation of the 2025 tax reforms, obtain feedback from stakeholders and ensure a seamless transition from the previous digital platform while preventing multiple taxation.
Ango also underscored the importance of internally generated revenue to the development of the nation’s capital, noting that tax revenue remains the FCT’s principal source of funding for infrastructure and public services.
“The reality is that the FCT receives only one per cent of the Federal Government’s allocation from the Federation Account. Consequently, the bulk of resources available for infrastructure and development projects comes from internally generated revenue,” he said.
Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Henry Nwauna, described the engagement as a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between government institutions and tax authorities.
“This engagement reflects the commitment of government institutions to deepen collaboration, improve mutual understanding and promote compliance with tax obligations in support of sustainable national development,” he said.
Earlier, Director of Tax Operations (Corporate, MDAs and International Organisations), Salome Adeyemi, urged stakeholders to embrace the new Taxporta platform to ensure seamless tax registration, filing, payment and issuance of Tax Clearance Certificates.
She expressed confidence that the platform would deepen collaboration between the Service and taxpayers while enhancing revenue generation for the sustainable development of the FCT.
Sensitizing participants on the new tax reform, the Tax Controller, MDA Tax Office, Fatima Abubakar, urged MDAs and taxpayers to comply fully with the provisions of the 2025 Nigerian Tax Reform Acts to avoid sanctions.
She explained that the sensitization focused on the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 and other new tax laws governing taxpayer registration, filing of returns, assessments and issuance of Tax Clearance Certificates.
Abubakar said every taxable individual, business and government institution must obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), adding that the tax authority now has powers to automatically generate TINs for taxable persons using their National Identification Number (NIN).
She further disclosed that, under the new tax regime, taxable income extends beyond salaries to include allowances and benefits enjoyed by employees.
“All benefits, whether in cash or kind, are taxable because they constitute perks of office. For example, five per cent of the value of an official vehicle is taxable. Failure to file complete tax returns attracts a fine of ₦100,000 in the first month and ₦50,000 for every subsequent month of default,” she said.
She also warned that MDAs awarding contracts must request valid Tax Clearance Certificates from contractors before contract awards or risk a penalty of ₦5 million.
A participant and Tax Manager at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mohammed Ali, commended the FCT-IRS for organising the engagement, describing it as an important initiative that would strengthen confidence and transparency between the tax authority and taxpayers.
“I think it is worthwhile and very important. It will boost stakeholders’ confidence and demonstrates transparency in the discharge of the Service’s responsibilities,” he said.
The Director of ICT, Ayokanmi Ogunwumiju, also demonstrated the Payment Solution Service Providers integrated into Taxporta, highlighting the platform’s security features, efficiency and ease of use.
The stakeholder engagement forms part of the FCT-IRS’ broader efforts to deepen stakeholder participation, promote voluntary tax compliance and leverage technology to deliver more efficient, transparent and taxpayer-friendly tax administration across the Federal Capital Territory.
