Every Nigerian Must File Tax Returns By March 31 – Oyedele
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has called on Nigerians to comply with the law by filing their annual tax returns, stressing that the obligation applies to both employers and individual taxpayers.
Oyedele made the call during a webinar organised for HR managers, payroll officers, chief financial officers and tax managers, held in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board. The session, which was posted on YouTube on Friday, focused on tax compliance and ongoing fiscal reforms.
Speaking during the webinar, Oyedele noted that a significant number of Nigerians remain non-compliant with the requirement to file self-assessment tax returns.
“In terms of filing returns, you need to file annual returns as employers for your employees. Many of you must have done that already. If you haven’t, you have just a couple of days left to file those returns, including projections of how much you will pay your staff,” he said.
He also highlighted the low level of compliance among individual taxpayers, describing it as a major weakness in Nigeria’s tax system.
“This is one area where we have been non-compliant in Nigeria. In many states, more than 90%—even the most sophisticated states—cannot boast of 5% filing returns,” Oyedele said.
According to him, recent tax reforms have clarified that employees still have responsibilities even when their employers deduct taxes directly from their salaries.
“Many people assume that if they are an employee and the employer has deducted pay, they don’t have to do anything. That is wrong. Both under the old and new tax laws, you must still file your returns.”
Oyedele assured taxpayers that efforts are ongoing to simplify the filing process and encourage compliance across all income levels.
“I’m sure the tax authorities, joint revenue boards, and various state internal revenue services are working on how to make this process simpler and easier. All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income. You must file returns by 31st March of the year in respect of the previous fiscal year.”
He further disclosed that businesses benefiting from tax incentives now have additional disclosure obligations under the new tax framework.
“Under the new tax law, if you operate a business as an enterprise and you enjoy certain incentives, you have the obligation to disclose those incentives. There’s a disclosure requirement for tax incentives that is not available to everybody as a general rule for taxpayers—to disclose them when filing their tax returns or shortly after.”
Oyedele concluded by reiterating that improved compliance is central to strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal system and supporting sustainable economic development.
