The FCT-IRS boss who spoke to NAN in Abuja on Wednesday said that taxation was a major means of raising funds for government’s expenditure hence the need for a responsible government to take that seriously.

He said many developed countries of the world depended on tax to generate revenue for development projects.

“Country like Norway that produces a lot of oil depends on taxation to survive; it keeps its oil in Sovereign Wealth for a rainy day,” Mr. Attah explained. “Rwanda too has been living on taxation and even Nigeria  itself relied on taxes during regional government in 1950s and 60s; all the regions were depending on taxation.”

Mr. Attah disclosed that the service had decided to step down enforcement on non-filing of tax returns by taxpayers because of COVID-19.

He said every taxpayer was expected to file his or her tax returns by March 31 of every year but due to the pandemic, the FCT-IRS had given them enough time to do so.

According to him, in spite of the time given, some people have not filed their annual tax returns to the service.

He urged taxpayers who had not filed their tax returns to do so in the FCT-IRS offices nearest to them.