Tax reform leader Taiwo Oyedele has emphasized that Nigerian law requires every person with income—including salaried workers—to submit their annual self-assessment tax returns no later than March 31 each year.
This obligation applies regardless of whether taxes were already deducted at source through the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system, as individuals are still responsible for declaring all sources of earnings and filing a comprehensive return.
Oyedele highlighted that this requirement covers even those with modest incomes, marking a key aspect of ongoing efforts to improve nationwide tax compliance.
The directive stems from provisions in Nigeria’s Personal Income Tax framework, which mandates self-assessment submissions to the relevant State Internal Revenue Service.
Oyedele noted during recent engagements that adherence to this rule has historically been low, underscoring the need for greater awareness and participation.
Employers, meanwhile, face an earlier deadline of January 31 for filing returns related to employee emoluments and deductions, but the focus for individuals remains the March cutoff for personal filings covering the prior year’s income.
This push aligns with broader fiscal reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, boosting revenue collection, and ensuring equitable contribution from all eligible taxpayers.
Failure to meet the March 31 deadline could result in penalties, reinforcing the importance of timely compliance to support national development goals while avoiding potential enforcement actions by tax authorities.
