Everyone must file tax returns by March 31 – Nigerian govt

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has urged Nigerians to ensure they submit their yearly tax returns, emphasizing that compliance is mandatory for both individuals and employers.

Oyedele made the call during a webinar held in partnership with the Joint Revenue Board and targeted at HR professionals, payroll administrators, chief financial officers, and tax managers.

Speaking in the session, which was later uploaded to YouTube on Friday, Jan. 30, Oyedele said: “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 further noted that individuals are equally required to submit self-assessment tax returns, adding that adherence in this category remains alarmingly poor nationwide.

“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 make it clear that workers cannot rely solely on tax deductions made by their employers to fulfill their legal responsibilities.

“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 reassured citizens that efforts are underway to simplify the filing process and encourage broader participation.

“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 also disclosed that companies benefiting from tax incentives now have an added responsibility under the updated tax framework.