The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing individual annual tax returns to April 14, 2026, giving taxpayers in Lagos an additional two weeks beyond the initial April 1 deadline.
The agency said the extension is aimed at allowing taxpayers sufficient time to properly complete and submit their returns, while reinforcing the importance of compliance with statutory tax obligations.
LIRS maintained that all filings must be done electronically through its eTax platform, stressing that manual submissions are no longer accepted. It also urged taxpayers to confirm the accuracy of their Tax Identification Number (TaxID) to avoid errors or delays during processing.
The directive applies broadly to all individuals earning taxable income, including salaried workers, business owners, self-employed individuals, professionals, and those operating within the informal sector.
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Under existing regulations, individuals are required to declare their total income earned between January 1 and December 31, 2025, within the first 90 days of the new tax assessment year.
This latest extension follows an earlier adjustment by the agency, which moved the deadline for employers’ annual returns from February 1 to February 7.
At the national level, Nigeria’s tax system is currently undergoing significant reforms, driven by proposed legislations such as the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Act, the Joint Revenue Service Establishment Act, the Nigerian Tax Act, and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, all designed to enhance compliance and modernise tax administration across the country.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
