The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) advises all individual taxpayers in Lagos State to file their annual tax returns for the 2026 year of assessment on or before 31st March 2026.
The statutory filing requirement applies to all taxable persons, including self-employed individuals, business owners, professionals, persons in the informal sector, and employees under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) scheme. In accordance with Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 13 &14(3) of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), every individual with taxable income is required to submit a true and correct return of total income from all sources for the preceding year (January 1 to December 31, 2025) within 90 days of the commencement of a new assessment year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 25 February, 2026, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, stated that timely filing remains both a constitutional and statutory obligation as well as civic responsibility.
In his remarks, he stated that “Filing of annual tax returns is not optional. It is a legal requirement under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025. We encourage all Lagos residents earning taxable income to file early and accurately. Early and accurate filing not only ensures full adherence with statutory requirements but supports effective monitoring and forecasting, which are critical to Lagos State’s fiscal planning and long-term sustainability.”
He further noted that failure to file returns by the statutory deadline attracts administrative penalties, interest, and other enforcement measures as prescribed by law.
To enhance convenience and efficiency, all individual tax returns must be submitted electronically via the LIRS eTax portal.
The platform enables taxpayers to register, file returns, upload supporting documents, and manage their tax profiles securely from anywhere.
In keeping with global best practices, Dr. Subair reiterated that LIRS continues to prioritise digital tax administration and taxpayer support services. He affirmed that the LIRS eTax platform is secure and accessible worldwide.
