Published Wednesday, 18 August 2010
The seven members of staff, who are all men, are accused of tampering with computer records, which meant a number of people from ethnic minority backgrounds living across the UK were paid less money than they were entitled to.
It is understood that two other staff members quit when an internal inquiry was launched earlier this year.
All nine were based at the HM Revenue and Customs contact centre in Belfast's Great Victoria Street.
The investigation started last January when a complaint was lodged by somebody who claimed that their records had been changed.
A detailed audit was carried out and the inquiry then widened to take in another 16 cases.
All have now been fully reimbursed.
It is understood the nine men were suspended once the investigation into the racial abuse allegations started, but two quit immediately.
H.M. Revenue and Customs said the seven others were officially dismissed for"racially motivated gross misconduct" on Tuesday.
Dave Hartnett, Permanent Secretary for Tax and HMRC Race Champion, said that HMRC operates a zero tolerance policy when it comes to racial discrimination.
"The Department will not tolerate discrimination in any shape or form and yesterday seven members of staff in the Belfast Contact Centre were dismissed for racially motivated gross misconduct", he said.
"The vast majority of our people are entirely professional and one of the ways we support that professionalism is by taking decisive action against the tiny minority who let us all down by falling far short of those standards."
South Belfast Alliance MLA Anna Lo has expressed shock at the story.
"I want to commend Revenue and Customs' swift action in dealing with racially motivated gross misconduct. It is however deeply shocking that such behaviour has happened in the first place", Ms Lo said.
"Diversity is something that should be celebrated and we need to tackle all forms of prejudice, not just in the workplace, but in all aspects of everyday life."
The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said it will be seeking an urgent meeting with Revenue and Customs to discuss what happened and what is being done to prevent any recurrence.