The Deadlines for filing Tax Returns in Nigeria have become of particular importance following the introduction of the new tax laws. It has ushered in a new wave of consciousness on the need to stay compliant with the law. It is therefore pertinent that businesses, individuals, professionals and consultants stay updated on the crucial dates and deadlines for filing various taxes. The deadlines for filing taxes depends on the nature of the business and the type of tax.
Deadlines for Filing Taxes in Nigeria
Penalties for Missing Tax Filing Deadlines
1. Personal Income Tax (PIT) Returns
- Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme: This is filed by employers on behalf of employees upon deducting from their salaries at source. The due date for filing this return is 31st January of the subsequent year. However, monthly paye deductions are to be remitted by 10th of the next month following the month of deduction.
- Self-employed Individuals: The due date for self-employed individuals, business names and entrepreneurs to file PIT returns and make payment is within 90 days of the fiscal year i.e., not later than 31 March
Personal income taxes being taxes for individuals are to be filed with the relevant State Internal Revenue Service where the individual resides.
Note: Some State Internal Revenue Service have extended the deadline for filing of Individuals tax returns by one month in this current year 2026, such as the Abuja Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) while the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) extended its deadline to 21st April 2026. This grace period is to give people the opportunity to adjust to the fresh implementation of the new Nigeria tax laws, being the first year in which the newly enacted laws are being implemented.
Example:
Sade Limited is expected to remit the PAYE deductions of its employees for the month of June 2025 by 10th July 2025. Its annual PAYE filing for its employees is to be done by 31st January 2026.
Sade is expected to file her individual self-assessment returns by 31st March 2026
Akpan resides in Abuja but works remotely for a company in Lagos. He is to file his self-assessment with FCT-IRS
Offences and Penalties
- A taxable person who fails to register for tax by the due date shall be liable to a fine of N50,000 in the first month and N25,000 for each subsequent month in which the failure occurs – S100(1) NTAA
- A taxable person who fails to file returns or knowingly files incomplete or inaccurate returns shall be liable to a fine of N100,000 in the first month and N50,000 for each subsequent month in which the failure continues – S101 NTAA
Read: Filing Taxes in Nigeria – A Step-by-step Guide for guidance on the tax filing process
2. Companies Income Tax (CIT) Returns
All businesses are required to file returns, whether large, small, or exempted companies. Tax Returns are filed within 6 months from the accounting year end. New companies are expected to file returns within 6 months after its first accounting year end (for ongoing businesses) or 18 months from the date of incorporation, whichever is earlier. The due date for filing CIT returns being 30th June of the subsequent year.
Example
Johnsons Ltd company makes up its accounts to 31st December every year. In order for Johnsons Ltd to meet up with the deadlines for filing tax returns in Nigeria, Its tax returns for the financial year ended 31st December 2025 must be filed on or before 30th June 2026.
Offences and Penalties
- A taxable person who fails to file returns or knowingly files incomplete or inaccurate returns shall A taxable person who fails to register for tax by the due date shall be liable to a fine of N50,000 in the first month and N25,000 for each subsequent month in which the failure occurs – S100(1) NTAA
- A taxable person who fails to file returns or knowingly files incomplete or inaccurate returns shall be liable to a fine of N100,000 in the first month and N50,000 for each subsequent month in which the failure continues – S101 NTAA
3. Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) Returns
Companies engaged in petroleum operations must within two months from commencement of each accounting period, file an estimate of tax liability (i.e. February 28th/29thof the accounting year). Actual tax returns must be filed five months after the end of the accounting period (i.e. May 31st of the subsequent year).
The first monthly payment shall be due and payable not later than the third month of the accounting period (i.e. 31st March of the accounting year. Each of the following monthly instalments is due and payable not later than the end of each subsequent month. The final instalment shall be due and payable within 21 days after the service of the notice of assessment of tax for such accounting period. The amount of tax payment shall be the total assessed tax for the accounting period less all instalments already paid on account.
Companies engaged in upstream petroleum operations will be taxed under CIT for their income taxable under CITA and their CIT liability must be settled on an actual year basis.
Example
Udeme Petroleum Ltd will file an estimated tax on or before 28th February 2026 for its accounting period of 1st January 2026 – 31st December 2026. Its first instalment of the estimated tax will be made by 31st March 2026, subsequent instalments will be made each month end following. The final tax returns must be filed by 31st May 2027.
Offences and Penalties
- Any company that fails to file any of the estimated or actual returns on the due date is liable to pay a late filing penalty of N10,000,000 the first day the failure occurs and N2,000,000 each subsequent day the failure continues – S128(a) NTAA
- Where tax, remittance or royalty due is not from a company involved in upstream petroleum operations is not paid on the date due, it will be regarded as a debt and a sum of 10% of the amount payable shall be added to the tax, remittance or royalty
- Where its a foreign currency transaction, the tax, remittance or royalty due shall incur interest at the prevailing SOFR rate or any other successor rate plus 10%
- Where the transaction is in naira, an interest of 2% shall be incurred on the tax, remittance or royalty, above the prevailing Central Bank Monetary Policy Rate.
4. Witholding Tax (WHT)
The due date for remitting withholding taxes is the 21st day of the subsequent month following the month the deductions were made.
Example
Johnsons Ltd deducted a total of N1,500,000 in withholding taxes from its suppliers invoice payment for the month of February 2026. This amount is to be remitted to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) by 21st March 2026.
Offences and Penalties
- A person who has an obligation to collect, deduct or withhold tax and fails to do so, is liable to a penalty of 40% of the amount not deducted – S105 NTAA
- A person that collects, deducts or withholds tax and fails to remit such amount by the 21st day of the following month in which the amount was deducted or withheld will be liable to pay the amount deducted or withheld but not remitted, an administrative penalty of 10% of such amount and interest at the prevailing CBN rate.
5. Value Added Tax (VAT)
The due date for filing VAT returns is the 21st day of the month following the month of the transaction. However, Persons or companies appointed by the NRS to withhold or collect VAT are required to remit the tax by the 14th day of the month following the month of the transaction.
Note: Small businesses are exempt from filing VAT – S22(4) NTAA, it however has the option to opt out of this exemption through a written notice to the Service.
Example
Johnsons Ltd VAT returns for the month of March 2026 must be filed on or before 21st April 2026.
Offences and Penalties
- Where a person receives a refund as a result of a fictitious or false claim will in addition to the recovery of the amount received be liable to a penalty of 100% of that amount plus interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria Monetary Policy Rate. S122 NTAA
6. Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
The deadline for filing and payment of CGT by a company or individual who has disposed of a chargeable asset is not later than 30 June or 31 December of the year of disposal depending on when the asset was sold.
7. Stamp Duties
Instrument first executed in Nigeria which may or is required by law to be stamped by adhesive stamps are to be stamped on or before first execution. Unstamped or insufficiently stamped instruments may be stamped with impressed stamps, except reduced or extended, within 40 days from its date of first execution. Where such instruments are subject to ad-valorem duty, they are expected to be stamped within 30 days from first execution or first receipt in Nigeria (if executed outside Nigeria).
Offences and Penalties
- A person who fails to stamp dutiable instruments is liable to pay 10% of the unpaid duty and interest at the prevailing CBN rate – S110 NTAA
- A person who underpays any duty or neglects/omits to fully disclose all facts and circumstances as relates to dutiable instruments shall be liable to a penalty ofN100,000 or upon conviction, a fine of N50,000 or term of imprisonment of not more than 3 years, or both fine and imprisonment.
Conclusion
Individuals and companies must ensure to always stay on the right side of the law, as filing and paying taxes is an obligation to the country, and saves one the cost in penalties, legal processes and of course time in correcting what should have been done in the first place.
Maintaining accurate financial and tax records would assist in staying organized and ready to file at the appropriate time so as to meet up with the deadlines for filing tax returns in Nigeria. It is equally important to file correct and accurate information, as there are penalties attached to submitting incorrect information as well.
Finally, consulting a tax professional would save time and help avoid costly mistakes.
Goodluck!
Read: The Nigeria Tax Reform Act 2025 – Top 18 things to know, for further guidance on filing appropriately, avoiding mistakes and meeting the deadlines for filing tax returns in Nigeria .
Useful Resources:
The NRS official site www.nrs.gov.ng
The FCTIRS site fctirs.gov.ng
The LIRS site etax.lirs.net
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