The Federal Government has issued fresh guidelines to manage Nigeria’s shift to a new tax regime, aiming to reduce uncertainty for taxpayers, revenue authorities and other stakeholders.
The framework, released on Thursday by the Ministry of Finance, is designed to guide the implementation of the new tax laws during the transition period, particularly in relation to existing obligations, ongoing audits, tax disputes, incentives and transactions that cut across both regimes.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines were introduced to ensure a seamless transition without disruption to taxpayers or revenue administration.
He explained that the framework is anchored on three core principles: clarity, fairness and administrative certainty.
According to him, all tax liabilities and obligations relating to periods before January 1, 2026, will continue to fall under the old tax laws. He added that audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions tied to that period will also be handled under the repealed framework.
Oyedele further stated that tax returns relating to accounting periods ending before January 2026 will be filed under existing laws, while all filings from January 1, 2026, will be governed by the new tax structure.
The minister noted that the Tax Acts 2025 comprise four major laws under Nigeria’s tax reform programme: the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
On incentives, the guidelines provide that all existing tax exemptions and approvals granted under the old laws will remain valid until their expiration dates, offering continuity for businesses.
However, pending applications and new requests for incentives will now be assessed under the provisions of the new Tax Acts 2025.
The framework also outlines updated provisions on income tax, transaction taxes, development levies and record-keeping requirements to guide compliance during the transition period.
