Tax expert and Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has reiterated that every individual in Nigeria—employees inclusive—must file annual tax returns on or before March 31, as required by law.
Oyedele explained that the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) mandates all taxable persons to submit a return of income to the relevant tax authority, regardless of whether their taxes are deducted at source through Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE). According to him, PAYE deductions do not replace the legal obligation to file annual returns.
He noted that filing tax returns helps authorities reconcile income declarations, confirm compliance, and improve the integrity of the tax system. “The law is clear: earning income in Nigeria comes with the responsibility to file a return. This applies to salaried workers, self-employed individuals, and others with taxable income,” Oyedele said.
Oyedele added that widespread compliance would strengthen government revenue without increasing tax rates, enabling better funding for public services and infrastructure. He warned that failure to file returns by the March 31 deadline could attract penalties and enforcement actions by tax authorities.
The tax expert urged Nigerians to seek guidance from licensed tax practitioners where necessary and to take advantage of digital filing platforms provided by state and federal tax agencies to meet the deadline set.