By 
The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has introduced Taxporta, a new digital tax administration platform designed to simplify tax processes, improve compliance, and strengthen internally generated revenue across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The platform was unveiled during a stakeholder engagement with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Complex in Abuja, where the Service also educated public institutions on the implementation of Nigeria’s 2025 tax reform laws.
Speaking at the event, FCT-IRS Executive Chairman, Michael Ango, described Taxporta as a significant milestone in the agency’s digital transformation strategy, aimed at delivering faster, more secure, and more efficient tax services.
According to Ango, the self-service platform enables taxpayers to complete virtually all tax-related activities online, eliminating the need for physical visits to FCT-IRS offices.
Users can register for tax, file returns, calculate tax liabilities, make payments, generate receipts, and obtain Tax Clearance Certificates (TCCs) directly through the platform without requiring third-party assistance.
He explained that Taxporta has been fully integrated with the provisions of Nigeria’s 2025 tax reform legislation, with statutory allowances already embedded to ensure accurate and automated tax calculations.
“Any serious institution, whether in the public or private sector, has to evolve with technology. This platform is another step in our digital innovation journey, allowing taxpayers to access our services conveniently from their homes or offices without physical interaction,” Ango said.
He added that taxpayers simply need to provide the required income information, after which the system automatically computes tax obligations, processes payments, issues receipts, and generates Tax Clearance Certificates.
Driving Revenue Through Digital Innovation
Ango expressed confidence that the new platform would significantly improve tax administration and support the FCT’s revenue generation objectives.
“Our goal is to maximise tax collection for government. Whether our annual target is ₦400 billion or ₦500 billion, we are committed to exceeding those expectations through improved compliance and efficient service delivery,” he stated.
Despite the Service’s commitment to stronger revenue collection, Ango stressed that FCT-IRS would continue to prioritise voluntary compliance over enforcement.
He noted that while the law provides for penalties, the Service remains open to granting reasonable extensions where taxpayers or government institutions have legitimate reasons for delays.
“Penalties become necessary only when there is deliberate refusal to comply with tax obligations,” he said.
Supporting the 2025 Tax Reform Agenda
The Executive Chairman highlighted the unique position of FCT-IRS as both a Federal Government agency and an institution under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), making collaboration with MDAs essential for successful tax administration.
He explained that the stakeholder engagement was organised to facilitate a smooth transition to the upgraded digital platform while strengthening cooperation between government institutions and the tax authority.
According to him, improved compliance will increase the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), providing additional resources for infrastructure development and enhanced public service delivery.
Ango also noted that the FCT relies heavily on internally generated revenue because statutory allocations from the Federation Account remain limited.
“The FCT receives only one per cent of the Federal Government’s allocation from the Federation Account. This makes efficient tax collection and voluntary compliance critical to financing development across the territory,” he said.
Stakeholders Back Digital Tax Reforms
Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Hon. Henry Nwauna, described the engagement as an important initiative for strengthening collaboration between tax authorities and government institutions.
He emphasised that greater transparency, accountability, and cooperation among MDAs would improve revenue mobilisation and support national development objectives.
Also speaking, Tax Controller of the MDA Tax Office at FCT-IRS, Fatima Abubakar, urged government institutions and taxpayers to fully comply with the provisions of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 and other recently enacted tax reform laws.
She explained that the sensitisation programme covered key provisions relating to taxpayer registration, tax returns, assessments, and the issuance of Tax Clearance Certificates.
Abubakar reminded stakeholders that all taxable individuals, businesses, and government organisations are required to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), adding that the tax authority is empowered to automatically generate TINs using National Identification Numbers (NINs) where necessary.
She further explained that the new tax laws classify employment benefits and allowances—including benefits in kind—as taxable income.
According to her, five per cent of the value of an official vehicle is taxable, while incomplete tax filings attract penalties of ₦100,000 in the first month and ₦50,000 for every subsequent month of default.
She also advised MDAs to request valid Tax Clearance Certificates from contractors before awarding contracts, warning that non-compliant agencies could face fines of up to ₦5 million.
Representing participants, Mohammed Ali, Manager of Tax at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), commended FCT-IRS for organising the engagement, describing it as a timely initiative that would deepen collaboration between taxpayers and the revenue authority while promoting greater transparency and confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration system.
Comments