FCT-IRS Cracks Down On Tax Defaulters, Seals Businesses

Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has sealed premises of two business centres in Maitama district in the FCT over failure to file tax returns and settle outstanding liabilities, despite multiple notifications.

The agency carried out the operation under a court order as part of its drive to ensure tax compliance and boost internally generated revenue for the FCT Administration.

The acting director of legal services and head of the enforcement team, Barr.  Festus Tsavsar, while addressing journalists during the exercise, stated that the affected businesses—Phase  3 Telecom and Cilantro Village, both in Maitama, repeatedly ignored demand notices, invitations for dialogue and reminders from the FCT-IRS in the last three years.

“These taxpayers have deliberately refused to meet their tax obligations despite several opportunities given to them. We obtained court orders to seal their premises, and this action will remain in place until they settle their outstanding liabilities,” Tsavsar said.

He emphasised that business owners are legally prohibited from unsealing their premises without going through the proper legal channels.

“By law, no one is allowed to unseal their premises without clearance from the FCT-IRS. If they attempt to do so, they will be committing an offense. The only way forward is for them to pay their tax debts, after which we will approach the court to lift the enforcement order,” he warned.

One of the affected businesses, Phase 3 Telecom, reportedly owes millions of naira in unpaid taxes spanning over three years.

“We have written multiple demand notices to them for over three years, but they refused to respond. Even after attending meetings and making commitments to pay, they still failed to comply,” he stated.

Cilantro was penalised for failing to file its annual tax returns for more than three years, leading to the court-ordered enforcement action.

Tsavsar stressed that this is just the beginning, as the enforcement team will continue sealing more premises in the coming weeks.