LIRS Sets Deadline For 2025 Tax Returns, Warns Lagos Employers Of Penalties

According to Ireporter Online, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reaffirmed January 31, 2026, as the statutory deadline for all employers operating in the state to submit their annual tax returns for the 2025 financial year.

The agency disclosed this in an official statement issued on Thursday by its Executive Chairman, Dr. Ayodele Subair, who reminded employers that the obligation to file annual returns is anchored on the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.

Subair explained that employers are required to provide comprehensive information on salaries, wages, and other forms of compensation paid to their employees, alongside details of payments made to service providers, vendors, and consultants. He added that all taxes due for the 2025 financial year must be fully deducted and remitted within the stipulated period.

The LIRS chairman emphasized that filing annual tax returns is a mandatory legal requirement, warning that non-compliance would attract statutory sanctions, including administrative penalties, as prescribed under the new tax law.

He noted that Section 14 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, mandates employers to submit detailed annual returns capturing all emoluments paid to employees, as well as taxes deducted and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities. The Act further specifies January 31 of each year as the deadline for such filings.

Subair urged employers to embrace tax compliance as a fundamental business responsibility and to ensure timely and accurate submissions. He stressed that early compliance not only guarantees adherence to the law but also enhances effective revenue monitoring, which is critical to Lagos State’s fiscal planning and long-term sustainability.

He further disclosed that electronic filing through the LIRS eTax platform is now compulsory, noting that manual submission of tax returns has been completely discontinued in the state. According to him, the transition to full electronic filing is designed to streamline tax administration, improve efficiency, and promote transparency.

Employers are therefore required to submit their annual tax returns exclusively via the LIRS eTax portal. Subair described the platform as secure, user-friendly, and accessible round-the-clock, adding that it was developed to simplify the tax compliance process for employers.

He also advised employers to ensure that the Tax Identification Numbers of all employees are accurately captured during filing, warning that employees without Tax IDs must promptly generate one to prevent delays or disruptions. Employers requiring further guidance or support were encouraged to visit any LIRS office or engage the agency through its official support channels.