The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has deployed an online portal to process fake Customs Clearance Certificates (TCCs)issued by fraudsters.
Dr Abdullahi Ahmad, director of the communications and liaison department of FIRS, revealed this in a statement released in Abuja on Friday.
Ahmad said the effort was part of measures to verify the activities of fraudsters specializing in the production and sale of fake TCCs.
He explained that he had unveiled a state-of-the-art and user-friendly online portal that detects any TCC not duly issued by FIRS.
Ahmad quoted FIRS Executive Chairman Muhammad Nami as saying this in Abuja, as he received management from the Federal Capital Territory Land Administration (FCTA).
Nami said, “We do not neglect the activities of fraudsters who specialize in producing and selling fake TCCs to tax evaders.
“FIRS is now ahead of them by launching an online portal through which ministries, departments and agencies, businesses and individuals can confirm the authenticity of CBTs issued to them.
“The moment someone presents a TCC to do business with you, we want you to visit www.tcc.firs.gov.ng.
“The moment you put the company’s tax ID number, RC number and company name in the portal, the real company tax clearance certificate.
“If there is, will come. If the CBT presented to you is wrong, you will know it. When you come across such cases, you should notify us immediately so that we can prosecute these people.
“The only way for us to collaborate as government agencies is to share information,” he said.
The president urged the land administration authorities of the FCTA and other public and private organizations to now verify the facts of any CCT presented to them before dealing with any matter.
Nami also urged the land administration branch of the FCTA to make it compulsory for anyone registering property in Abuja to present a TCC.
According to him, this is how the revenue profile of the government will increase and be sufficient to support the development needs of the government at all levels.
In his remarks, the director of land administration of the FCTA, Adamu Hussaini, who led the delegation, expressed his willingness to collaborate with the FIRS.
Hussain said their areas of interest were the capital gains tax and stamp duty for properties in the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)
