By NANA MUSA

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), has set March 31 deadline for all taxable individuals resident in the FCT to file their annual income tax returns.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head, Corporate Communications, FCT-IRS, Mr Mustapha Sumaila, in Abuja on Monday.

He said that the Service had advised employed individuals, elected and appointed public office holders, self-employed persons, business owners and professionals to comply with the statutory requirement.

Sumaila said that all taxable individuals are expected to declare their income from all sources for the preceding year, January 1 to Dec. 31, 2025, including statements of deductions and other relevant information as required by law.

According to the him, the filing requirement applies to all taxable persons, including those in the informal sector and employees under the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme.

Sumaila said that the directive was in line with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution, Sections 13 and 14(3) of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Section 24 of the FCT-IRS Act.

He said that the laws required every individual with taxable income to submit a true and correct return of total income from all sources within 90 days of the commencement of the 2026 assessment year.

Sumaila said that the Service advised taxpayers resident in the FCT to visit its self-service portal at www.taxporta.fctirs.gov.ng to file their returns online or visit the nearest FCT-IRS office to complete and submit the relevant forms.

The FCT-IRS warned that failure to file personal income tax returns by the deadline would attract sanctions as stipulated by law.

According to him, the sanctions will include the issuance of a best of judgment assessment on defaulters, imposing penalties and interest, and other civil and criminal sanctions in accordance with extant regulations.

The statement quoted the Acting Executive Chairman of the Service, Mr Michael Ango, as saying: “Voluntary compliance through timely registration, filing and payment of taxes remains a catalyst for development in the FCT’’.

He said that tax revenues were utilised by government to fund road projects, build and renovate schools, hospitals and other critical infrastructure.

Ango urged residents to support the ongoing efforts by the FCT administration under the minister, Mr Nyesom Wike to improve infrastructure and social services in the territory by fulfilling their tax obligations as required by law. (NAN)

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