FCT-IRS Sensitizes Stakeholders On Usage Of GIFMIS, IPPIS, TCC

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, FCT- IRS, has again organized a workshop to sensitize stakeholders on the importance of tax clearance, reiterating its commitment to collect all revenues accruable to the FCT.

The Chairman FCT- IRS, Mr Haruna Abdullahi made this known at the opening ceremony of a two-day Training Workshop in Nicon Luxury, Abuja, on the proper use of IPPIS and GIFMIS Platforms.

The workshop which was organized in collaboration with the Joint Tax Board (JTB) and Office of the Accountant General of the Federation is aimed at instilling the culture of paying taxes correctly by individuals and MDAs.

Mr. Haruna explained that the workshop would serve as an eye opener to residents and staff, as well as broaden the horizon of tax administrators and stakeholders to correct past errors associated with deductions and remittances.

“It is expected that the workshop will enhance accurate computations, deductions and appropriate remittances of PAYE, Annual Returns filling of PAYE By MDAs, proper deductions and remittances of Withholding Tax”.

The FCT- IRS Boss was emphatic that very soon, a tax clearance certificate, TCC will be demanded from taxable residents before they can access certain services in the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Mr Haruna highlighted such services to include: seeking contracts in Government offices, appointments, bank services, and land applications among others.

His words “FCT-IRS as a revenue generating agency in the nation’s capital, Abuja must enlighten the people on issues related to tax clearance, considering how important it is at the moment. Without tax clearance, an individual will not enjoy certain services at the national and sub-national levels.

“It is good for individuals to file their taxes in the appropriate places, we have discovered that on the IPPIS most persons come with tax clearance not reflecting the Federal Capital Territory.

“Part of this anomaly lies in another common misconception. It appears that some desk officers believe that the FCT-IRS is not present on the GIFMIS platform. As a result, they automatically remit the taxes due to the FCT-IRS to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). I would like to clarify this misconception today: the FCT-IRS is indeed on the GIFMIS platform, and our code is 100419.

“I encourage all desk officers to take note of this and ensure that subsequent tax remittances for the FCT are accurately made to the FCT-IRS, not the FIRS”.

In a paper presentation on the differences between taxes payable to FCT IRS and Federal Inland Revenue, FIRS, the Tax Controller, in Charge of FCT- IRS, Mr. Salisu Abubakar said company taxes are paid to the Federal Government, which FIRS represents, while PAYE & MDAs are paid to state internal Revenue, which FCT- IRS stands for.

He, therefore urged MDAs and Individuals to always file their returns as and when due, even as he warned that failure to remit on or before the end of January for MDAs and the end of March for Individuals will attract sanctions of #500 thousand and #20 per day for individuals.

Also, the Deputy Manager, of GIFMIS, Mr Adeoti Olasunkanmi opined that GIFMIS provides core financial management, and cash planning, reduces significant delays in payments, enhances accountability, and gives room to Auditors to work effectively.

Speaking from a professional Lens of practical experience, the Chairman of Chattered Institute of Nigeria, CITN, Dr Kennedy Iwundu stressed the need to have a simplified format
of making tax payments easy for taxable residents.

According to Dr. Iwundu, tax administrators should “make simplicity and certainty” their watchword in revenue collection and issuance of a tax clearance certificate, without overburdening the taxpayers.

In a vote of thanks, the Director of Tax Operations, FCT-IRS, Mr Malik Tukur thanked all stakeholders for participating and urged all taxpayers to prioritize the payment of their taxes.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji