Nigeria Tax Filing Calendar

Employers must remit PAYE deductions from employee salaries to the relevant State Internal Revenue Service by the 10th of the following month.

All VAT collected on taxable supplies for the preceding month must be filed and remitted by the 21st of the following month. Small businesses with annual turnover not exceeding ₦100 million and fixed assets below ₦250 million are exempt from VAT filing — but this exemption does not apply to businesses providing professional or specialised services.

WHT deducted from payments to suppliers, professionals and service providers must be remitted to the NRS. Key rates: 5% (professional/consulting services), 2% (goods & construction). Credit notes are issued to recipients for offset against CIT.

Monthly royalty returns for upstream petroleum companies (crude oil, condensates, LNG/LPG). Note: Mining operators and non-resident shipping/airline companies file by the 21st.

All employers must file detailed annual returns disclosing gross emoluments, allowances, benefits in kind, total deductions, net emoluments, and tax deducted for every employee in the preceding year. Distinct from monthly PAYE remittances.

Every individual — including salaried employees whose PAYE has already been deducted — must file a self-assessment return. Self-employed persons, business name owners, and directors pay PIT directly. Income includes employment income, rental income, business profits, digital asset gains, prizes, and honoraria.

Every company must file a self-assessment CIT return comprising: (a) audited financial statements — small companies may substitute an attested statement of accounts; (b) tax and capital allowances computation; (c) computation of effective tax rate; (d) top-up tax computation where ETR < 15% (applies to companies with turnover ≥ ₦20 billion or MNE group constituent entities); and (e) evidence of payment of tax due. Filing obligation applies even to loss-making and dormant companies. Small companies — defined as annual turnover ≤ ₦100 million and fixed assets ≤ ₦250 million, excluding professional service firms — pay CIT at 0% but must still file.

CGT on chargeable assets disposed of between January and June. Under NTA 2025, CGT for companies is now aligned at 30% (matching the CIT rate). Shares exempt where proceeds < ₦150 million and gain < ₦10 million in any 12-month window. Small companies (turnover ≤ ₦100 million, fixed assets ≤ ₦250 million, non-professional) are fully exempt from CGT.

Annual reconciliation and return for the 4% Development Levy filed concurrently with CIT returns. Assessable base is profits before capital allowances and losses. Exempt: small companies (turnover ≤ ₦100 million, fixed assets ≤ ₦250 million — but note professional service firms are not classified as small companies and remain liable). Non-resident companies are also exempt.

CGT on chargeable assets disposed of between July and December. Applies to property, shares (above exemption threshold), investment securities, digital assets, and other chargeable assets. Rate: 30% for companies; individual rates apply for individuals. Small companies (turnover ≤ ₦100 million, fixed assets ≤ ₦250 million, non-professional) are fully exempt.

Upstream petroleum companies must submit estimated returns of profits/losses for the current accounting period within two months of commencement. Must include: estimated revenue, adjusted profit/loss, estimated assessable profits, capital expenditure schedule, and estimated tax payable.

The first monthly instalment is due by the end of the 3rd month (31 March). Subsequent instalments are due at month-end thereafter through to 31 December. Each instalment is a proportionate share of estimated annual liability. Where price, cost, or volume changes materially, revised estimated returns must be submitted monthly. The final balance instalment is due within 21 days of the NRS notice of assessment.

Actual returns filed 5 months after end of accounting period, i.e. 31 May for a December year-end company. The final instalment (balance of assessed tax less all monthly instalments paid) falls due within 21 days of service of the NRS notice of assessment.

Instruments first executed in Nigeria must be stamped on or before execution with adhesive stamps. Where subject to ad valorem duty: 30 days from first execution in Nigeria, or 30 days from first receipt in Nigeria if executed outside. Unstamped or insufficiently stamped instruments may be rectified within 40 days.

Petroleum licence holders must file an annual return for all royalties paid during the accounting period no later than 5 months after the period ends (i.e., 31 May for December year-end companies).