FCT employers get January 31 deadline on tax return filing

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has called on all private companies, Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and other employers of labor within the FCT to file their employee annual tax returns for 2024 before the January 31, 2025 deadline.

This reminder is part of the FCT-IRS’s efforts to ensure compliance with the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 (as amended) and the PAYE Regulations, which require employers to file annual returns that detail all emoluments paid to employees, as well as the total taxes deducted for the previous year.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mustapha Sumaila, Head of Corporate Communications at FCT-IRS, highlighted that failure to comply with the deadline could lead to penalties and sanctions for defaulters.

Michael Ango, the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, emphasized the importance of timely filing during a recent stakeholder engagement for 2025. He warned that non-compliance would result in penalties and stated that the FCT-IRS would not hesitate to enforce sanctions.

“The filing of employee annual returns is a mandatory provision of the law. Failure to comply will attract penalties, and the FCT-IRS will not hesitate to impose sanctions on defaulters,” Ango said.

He further emphasized the value of voluntary compliance, urging employers to meet their obligations to avoid penalties.

“The best form of compliance is voluntary compliance. We expect all taxpayers in the FCT to comply willingly,” he added.

Ango also appealed to all private organizations, MDAs, government-owned enterprises, and sole proprietorships to fulfill their tax responsibilities.

“We urge employers to comply with their tax obligations, not only to avoid sanctions but also to contribute to the development of the FCT and support the Honourable Minister of the FCT, His Excellency Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, in transforming the city into a modern metropolis,” Ango concluded.

The FCT-IRS has made the necessary forms available for filing, and employers are encouraged to submit their returns using the prescribed documents before the January 31 deadline.