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

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by Mustapha Sumaila, the Head of Corporate Communications at FCT-IRS.

The statement warned that failure to meet the January 31 deadline could attract severe penalties and sanctions for defaulters.

The reminder is part of the service’s efforts to enforce compliance with the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 (as amended) and the PAYE Regulations, which require employers to file annual returns outlining all emoluments paid to employees and the total taxes deducted for the previous year.

Michael Ango, Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, emphasized the importance of timely filing during a recent stakeholder engagement for 2025.

Read also: LIRS Sets January 31 deadline for Annual Tax Returns

“Filing employee annual returns is a legal obligation. Non-compliance will result in penalties, and the FCT-IRS will not hesitate to enforce sanctions on defaulters,” Ango stated.

He highlighted the importance of voluntary compliance, encouraging employers to fulfill their tax obligations to avoid penalties.

“The best form of compliance is voluntary. We expect all taxpayers in the FCT to willingly meet their obligations,” he said.

Ango also called on private organizations, MDAs, government-owned enterprises, and sole proprietorships to prioritize their tax responsibilities.

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

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