The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing individual annual income tax returns by two weeks, shifting the date from March 31 to April 14, 2026.
This decision provides taxpayers with additional time to ensure the accuracy of their submissions. Consequently, the agency expects a surge in digital traffic over the coming days.
Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair, announced the move on Monday through a statement from the Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude.
“The extension aims at giving taxpayers additional time to file accurate returns,” Subair stated while explaining the institutional rationale behind the shift.
However, the LIRS boss clarified that while the grace period exists, March 31 remains the statutory deadline under the current legal framework.
Manual Filing Phased Out For eTax Platform
A critical change in this year’s cycle is the total removal of physical paperwork. The agency has completely phased out manual filing in favor of a digital-only approach.
The eTax platform is now the only approved channel for submitting returns. Subair described the portal as a secure and user-friendly system accessible at any hour of the day.
“The portal is secure, user-friendly, and accessible round-the-clock,” the Chairman alleged. Furthermore, he urged taxpayers to verify their Tax Identification Numbers before clicking submit.
This digital transition is part of effort to modernize revenue collection in Nigeria’s commercial hub.
Taxpayers requiring technical assistance can visit any LIRS office or use the official website and customer care lines for real-time support.
Statutory Obligations Under Nigeria Tax Act 2025
The requirement to file is not optional for income-earning residents. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, every individual must account for their earnings from the previous year.
Personal Income Tax is managed by the state of residence. Meanwhile, for salaried workers, taxes are usually handled via the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system.
“Filing annual returns remains necessary for documentation, verification, and obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate,” the agency directive confirmed.
Self-employed individuals, including freelancers and traders, bear the full responsibility for declaring and computing their taxes. Consequently, they face the highest risk of penalties for non-compliance.
Earlier in January, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, reminded Nigerians that both employers and employees have strict statutory obligations to the state.
“Compliance with tax obligations should be a consistent habit,” Subair stated while cautioning residents against using the extension as an excuse for further procrastination.
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