LIRS Sets January 31 Tax Returns Deadline

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has restated that all employers operating in the state must submit their annual tax returns for the 2025 financial year on or before January 31, 2026.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr Ayodele Subair, said the requirement is backed by the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 and applies to all employers of labour in Lagos State.

He explained that employers are expected to provide full disclosures of salaries, wages, and other forms of compensation paid to employees during the year, as well as payments made to contractors, consultants, vendors, and other service providers. 

According to him, all taxes due on these payments must also be properly deducted and remitted within the stipulated period.

Subair warned that filing annual returns is mandatory, noting that employers who fail to comply with the January 31 deadline risk penalties and other sanctions as prescribed by law. He said the Act clearly mandates employers to submit detailed annual records of emoluments paid, alongside evidence of tax deductions and remittances, each year.

The LIRS chairman urged organisations to build tax compliance into their routine business operations, stressing that early and accurate filing supports effective revenue administration and strengthens Lagos State’s fiscal planning.

He also reiterated that all filings must be done electronically through the LIRS eTax platform, as the service no longer accepts manual submissions. According to him, adopting a fully digital system is intended to streamline tax processes, improve transparency, and enhance operational efficiency.

Subair described the eTax portal as a secure, user-friendly platform available at all times, adding that it enables employers to meet their statutory obligations with greater ease.

He further advised employers to ensure that all employees’ Tax Identification Numbers are correctly captured during the filing process, noting that workers without a TaxID must obtain one to prevent delays or compliance issues.