+Compliance Guide
Nigeria Tax Filing Guide
Stay informed on due dates, filing deadlines, and penalties for every major Nigerian tax.
Major Taxes in Nigeria
Their usual due dates (or filing periods) and typical penalties for late filing. Please note that tax laws are subject to change, especially with the recent Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025.
| Tax | Due Date / Filing Period | Penalty for Late Filing |
|---|---|---|
| Company Income Tax (CIT) | Generally, within 6 months after end of accounting year for existing companies. For a newly-incorporated company: within 18 months from date of incorporation or 6 months after end of first accounting period, whichever is earlier. | Under the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) Section 55(3) (a & b): penalty of ₦25,000 in the first month of default and ₦5,000 for each subsequent month of default. Also: Late payment penalty 10% per annum of unpaid tax + interest at prevailing rate. |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | Monthly returns: by the 21st day of the month following the month in which the taxable supply was made. | Under the Value Added Tax Act Section 35: penalty of ₦5,000 for every month the failure continues. |
| Pay As You Earn (PAYE) | Monthly evidence of remittance: not later than the 10th day of every month for the preceding month’s deduction. Annual return (in respect of all employees) by 31 January of the following year. | Under Section 81(3) of the PITA: penalty of ₦500,000 for a corporate body and ₦50,000 for an individual (on conviction). Monthly remittance non-compliance: penalty at 10% per annum of tax not remitted + interest at prevailing CBN rate + possible imprisonment up to 3 years. |
| Withholding Tax (WHT) | Returns/evidence should be filed not later than 30 days from the date the tax was deducted or the duty to deduct arose. | Section 40 of the FIRS Act 2007: penalty on conviction = 10% per annum of the tax not remitted + interest at prevailing CBN rate + possible imprisonment (up to 3 years). |
| Personal Income Tax (PIT) | Generally, returns should be filed within 90 days from the commencement of the year of assessment (commonly interpreted as 31 March). | Section 94(1) of PITA: penalty of ₦5,000 plus ₦100 for every day the failure continues. If not paid, person may face imprisonment for up to 6 months. |
| Petroleum Profits Tax (PPT) | Estimated return: not later than 2 months after commencement of accounting period. Final return: within 5 months after end of accounting period. | Section 51(1) PPTA: penalty of ₦10,000 initial, and ₦2,000 for each day the failure continues. Under the 2025 Act: ₦10,000,000 first day, ₦2,000,000 for each subsequent day. |
| Education Tax (TET/EDT) | Payable by companies after assessment under CITA/PPTA. Filing same due date as CIT (6 months after accounting period). | Subject to the same late-filing penalty as CIT. |
| Capital Gains Tax (CGT) | Companies: within 6 months after year of assessment. Individuals: 30 days after disposal of an asset. | 10% of amount due + interest at prevailing CBN rate for late filing. |
Important Notes & Recent Changes:
The Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 introduces much stiffer penalties and a modernised penalty/interest regime. Failure to file estimated and actual returns on due date may attract ₦10,000,000 on the first day and ₦2,000,000 for each subsequent day.