AMAC call upon Tinubu to address tax collection disputes between FCT-IRS

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been called upon by Christopher Maikalangu, chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), to address the situation involving the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) and its revenue collection practices.

The request was made to the President on Tuesday during a press briefing by Maikalangu, speaking through his representative, Emmanuel Inyang, the supervisory councillor for special duties of AMAC.

Maikalangu said FCT-IRS has been harassing residents by asking them to pay the same taxes they had already paid to AMAC, thereby opening ways to double taxation.

He cited that it is against a court ruling that says AMAC should retain sole responsibility for revenue collection, casting doubt on the basis of FCT-IRS’s involvement.

“FCT IRS was harassing AMAC and FCT residents with the aim of their paying the same taxes they had already paid to AMAC, thereby opening ways to double taxation,” Maikalangu stated.

“The court had already ruled that AMAC should not pass over the role of revenue collection to a third party, hence the need for FCT IRS to explain from where it derived its powers to be collecting revenue on behalf of AMAC.”

Maikalangu also disclosed that AMAC has not signed any agreement with the FCT IRS with regard to revenue collection.

According to him, the permanent secretary of the FCT, Olusade Adesola, claimed to be the driving force behind revenue harmonisation at a recent townhall meeting held by FCT-IRS for the six Area Councils in the FCT with the goal of achieving that goal.

He added that Adesola left the meeting midway through and was unable to respond to questions, which prevented any agreement from being reached.

The AMAC chairman said that FCT-IRS was preparing a way for anarchy and a breakdown of law and order, particularly through its pursuit of revenue under the “Park and Pay” policy, which is under the jurisdiction of AMAC.

“Imagine the FCT-IRS going to an organisation to demand N3.5 million tax, some of whom had already paid tax to AMAC. So, it is worrisome that our taxpayers are being asked to pay again,” he stated.

He, however, called upon President Tinubu and security agencies to intervene and call FCT-IRS to order to avoid miscreants taking advantage to extort unsuspecting members of the public.

Maikalangu noted that the council does not want a situation of FCT-IRS clashes with AMAC task force in the field.

“We will not take laws into our hands. We will continue being law-abiding. However, it amounts to double taxation for AMAC residents and business owners to be asked to pay to FCT-IRS what they had already paid to AMAC.” he added.

The AMAC chairman also urged residents of the Federal Capital Territory to exercise caution and refrain from making revenue payments to individuals claiming to represent FCT-IRS.

He warned that such payments could lead to double payments and advised taxpayers to challenge FCT-IRS’s demands, suggesting they request legal justification that gives them powers to collect revenue for AMAC.

“AMAC is the right organisation to pay revenue to. If you pay to FCT-IRS, you will pay double when AMAC officials come calling. So, do the right thing by paying to AMAC. Please, don’t fall victim to the antics of FCT-IRS.” he added.