The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Services (FCT-IRS) on Friday, sealed the business premises of Phase3 Telecom and Cilantro Restaurant in Abuja, for failing to pay their tax obligations.

Mr Festus Tsavsar, acting Director, Legal Services, FCT-IRS, told journalists after the exercise in Abuja, that Phase3 Telecom, located at No 4, Yedseram Street, Maitama, was sealed over unpaid tax obligations.

Tsavsar, who is also the Head of the Enforcement Team, added two of Cilantro business premises were sealed for not filing its annual returns.

One of the premises is Cilantro Village, located inside Sarius Palmetum and Botanical Garden, Babangida Boulevard, Maitama, Abuja, while the other premises is located at Wuse Zone 5.

He explained that the action became necessary after several notices had been served on the defaulting taxpayers, but they refused to pay.

He said that Phase3 Telecom was owing the FCTA huge tax liabilities for three years

He added that the FCT-IRS had sent demand notices to the company several times, for more than three years, yet the company refused to pay.

“We invited them for a meeting, they came, wrote several undertakings but refused to pay the tax liabilities,” said.

For Cilantro, the director said that the company refused to file its tax returns for more than three years despite being served with several notices.

“We have written to them several times and they refused to file their returns; we invited them for a meeting, and they refused to honour the invitation,” he added.

Tsavsar said that to enforce compliance, the FCT-IRS had no choice other than to approach the court for a Court Order to seal off the business premises of defaulting taxpayers.

He assured the affected businesses that the premises would be unsealed once they settle all their tax obligations.

He said that the revenue services had carried out massive sensitisation campaigns, enlightening taxpayers about their tax obligation and encouraging them to pay voluntarily.

According to him, the revenue service will be going after every defaulting taxpayer and closed down business premises that refused to settle their tax obligation.

“We are, therefore, calling on tax defaulters to do the needful or risk the wrath of the law.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCT-IRS had given employers of labour Jan. 31 to file their employees’ annual returns for 2024.

The revenue service also gave individuals until the end of March to file their returns. (NAN)

Edited by Philip Yatai