The Federal Government has issued General Guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, mapping out how Nigeria will shift from repealed tax laws to the new framework starting January 1, 2026.
The Federal Ministry of Finance released the document to guide taxpayers, practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on handling issues arising from the transition.
—What the new laws cover–
The Tax Acts 2025 comprise four laws:
1. Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act
2. Nigeria Tax Act
3. Nigeria Tax Administration Act
4. Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act
The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 takes effect from January 1, 2026, while other Acts apply from their respective commencement dates as enacted.
—Old vs new: What changes, what stays—
The guidelines make a clear split between pre-2026 and post-2026 obligations:
—Before Jan 1, 2026 —
“Tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before that date will be treated under the repealed tax laws. Tax returns relating to accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the previous tax laws.”
—From Jan 1, 2026—
“Returns falling due from January 1, 2026, onward will be administered under the new tax framework.”
The document also covers treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping obligations, and transactions that span both regimes.
—Existing incentives protected—
“Existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain in place until their expiration dates. New applications and pending requests, however, will be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025,” the statement said.
—Built on “clarity, fairness, certainty”–
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines prevent retrospective application of the new laws while managing transitional issues.
He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme.
“The guidelines are anchored on three key principles: clarity, fairness and administrative certainty. They are intended to promote uniform implementation and support effective administration across the Nigeria Revenue Service, State Internal Revenue Services, FCT Internal Revenue Service, Local Government Revenue Committees, tax practitioners and taxpayers nationwide,” Oyedele said.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system that supports economic growth, strengthens revenue administration, encourages voluntary compliance and improves Nigeria’s investment climate. [Rewitten TRIBUNE story]
