The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has reminded Nigerians that filing annual tax returns is mandatory for every individual and employer, stressing that compliance remains alarmingly low across the country.
Oyedele made this clarification during a webinar organised for human resource managers, payroll officers, chief financial officers, and tax managers, in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board. The session, which was later shared on YouTube, focused on improving awareness and compliance with Nigeria’s evolving tax framework.
According to Oyedele, employers are legally required to file annual tax returns on behalf of their employees, including income projections and tax deductions for the year. He noted that while some organisations have complied, many are yet to do so despite the fast-approaching deadline.
He further emphasised that individual taxpayers also have a personal obligation to file self-assessment returns, regardless of whether their employers already deduct Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes from their salaries.
“One of the biggest misconceptions in Nigeria is that once your employer deducts tax from your salary, your responsibility ends there,” Oyedele explained. “That assumption is wrong. Under both the old and new tax laws, employees are still required to file their annual tax returns.”
Oyedele described individual tax compliance in Nigeria as extremely poor, revealing that even in the most advanced states, fewer than five per cent of taxpayers regularly file self-assessment returns.
“In many states, over 90 per cent of eligible taxpayers do not file returns at all. This is a major gap in our tax administration that must be addressed,” he said.
He assured Nigerians that tax authorities at both federal and state levels are working to simplify the filing process through improved digital platforms and better coordination among revenue agencies. According to him, the goal is to make tax filing easier, faster, and more accessible for all income earners, including low-income workers.
Oyedele also disclosed that under the new tax reforms, businesses benefiting from tax incentives are now required to formally disclose those incentives when filing their returns.
“If you operate a business and enjoy tax incentives, the new law requires full disclosure. These incentives must be declared either during filing or shortly after,” he said, adding that transparency is key to strengthening trust in the tax system.
He concluded by reminding Nigerians that the statutory deadline for filing annual tax returns is March 31, covering income earned in the previous fiscal year, and urged citizens to see tax compliance as a civic responsibility rather than a punishment.
Every Nigerian Must File Tax Returns by March 31 – OyedeleThe Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has reminded Nigerians that filing annual tax returns is mandatory for every individual and employer, stressing that compliance remains alarmingly low across the country.Oyedele made this clarification during a webinar organised for human resource managers, payroll officers, chief financial officers, and tax managers, in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board. The session, which was later shared on YouTube, focused on improving awareness and compliance with Nigeria’s evolving tax framework.According to Oyedele, employers are legally required to file annual tax returns on behalf of their employees, including income projections and tax deductions for the year. He noted that while some organisations have complied, many are yet to do so despite the fast-approaching deadline.He further emphasised that individual taxpayers also have a personal obligation to file self-assessment returns, regardless of whether their employers already deduct Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) taxes from their salaries.“One of the biggest misconceptions in Nigeria is that once your employer deducts tax from your salary, your responsibility ends there,” Oyedele explained. “That assumption is wrong. Under both the old and new tax laws, employees are still required to file their annual tax returns.”Oyedele described individual tax compliance in Nigeria as extremely poor, revealing that even in the most advanced states, fewer than five per cent of taxpayers regularly file self-assessment returns.“In many states, over 90 per cent of eligible taxpayers do not file returns at all. This is a major gap in our tax administration that must be addressed,” he said.He assured Nigerians that tax authorities at both federal and state levels are working to simplify the filing process through improved digital platforms and better coordination among revenue agencies. According to him, the goal is to make tax filing easier, faster, and more accessible for all income earners, including low-income workers.Oyedele also disclosed that under the new tax reforms, businesses benefiting from tax incentives are now required to formally disclose those incentives when filing their returns.“If you operate a business and enjoy tax incentives, the new law requires full disclosure. These incentives must be declared either during filing or shortly after,” he said, adding that transparency is key to strengthening trust in the tax system.He concluded by reminding Nigerians that the statutory deadline for filing annual tax returns is March 31, covering income earned in the previous fiscal year, and urged citizens to see tax compliance as a civic responsibility rather than a punishment.SEO DETAILSFocus Keyword: filing tax returns in NigeriaMeta Description (120 characters):Taiwo Oyedele urges Nigerians to file tax returns by March 31, stressing legal compliance for individuals and employers.Tags:Taiwo Oyedele, tax returns Nigeria, March 31 tax deadline, Nigerian tax reforms, PAYE compliance, self assessment tax, fiscal policy Nigeria
