The Federal Government has released guidelines to help taxpayers and revenue agencies transition from Nigeria’s old tax laws to the new Tax Acts 2025, which take effect from January 1, 2026.
The guidelines, issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, provide clarity on how tax matters will be handled during the shift to the new tax regime.
According to the ministry, tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before January 1, 2026, will continue to be governed by the repealed tax laws.
Similarly, tax returns for accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the old laws, while returns for periods ending from January 1, 2026, onward will be processed under the new tax framework.
The new tax regime is based on four key laws: the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
The guidelines also explain how income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions and record-keeping requirements will be treated during the transition period.
The government stated that existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the old laws will remain valid until they expire. However, new applications and pending requests will be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.
Speaking on the development, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines were designed to ensure a smooth transition while preventing the new laws from being applied retroactively.
He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme, noting that the guidelines provide certainty on how existing obligations, ongoing tax matters and future transactions will be treated.
According to him, the transition framework is built on three principles—clarity, fairness and administrative certainty.
The guidelines are expected to promote uniform implementation of the new tax laws by the Nigeria Revenue Service, state tax authorities, the FCT Internal Revenue Service, local government revenue committees, tax practitioners and taxpayers across the country.
The Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent and efficient tax system that supports economic growth, improves revenue collection, encourages voluntary tax compliance and strengthens Nigeria’s investment climate.
