FCTA Shuts Down School, Hotel, and Businesses for Evading Taxes

Confidence UbaniMay 10, 20241 Mins read98

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), along with the FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), has closed several establishments in the capital city for not paying taxes.

Led by Mr. Festus Tsavsar, Acting Director, Legal Services, at the FCT-IRS, the team shutdown Regency Hotels, Gratias International School, Rural and Urban Homes Ltd, Trevari International Company, and Phenomenon International Company.

These places did not file their annual tax returns despite being warned many times, even receiving court orders.

Gratias International School reportedly changed its name to DGIS College to avoid paying taxes. Residency Hotels and other businesses faced similar consequences.

“We have been able to effectively comply with the court order by sealing off the premises as directed. We went to Gratias International School located in Games Village, Kaura, and sealed it off.

“The offence they committed was refusal to file their annual returns despite many notices, including a Court Summon but the school management refused to comply.

“We are at their premises and the management refused to attend to us; and refused to open their doors, despite many calls for them to do so to enable us to enforce the court order,” he said.

Tsavsar further warned the owners not to reopen without court permission.

“If they go against the Court Order and unseal the premises by themselves, they have committed a criminal offence, and the court will order their arrest.
“They will be prosecuted in line with the Tax Laws, particularly Section 81 of Personal Income Tax Law and upon conviction they will be jailed for six months in addition to a fine,” he stated.

According to him, the FCT-IRS has plans to go after more businesses that are evading taxes.

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