The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated the statutory deadline of 31 January 2026 for all employers of labour in Lagos State to fulfil their statutory obligation to file their annual tax returns for the 2025 financial year.
The LIRS issued the reminder in a statement by its chairman, Ayodele Subair, on Thursday, reminding Lagos employers that the obligation to file annual returns is in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA).
Mr Subair explained that employers are required to file detailed returns on emoluments and compensation paid to their employees, as well as payments made to their service providers, vendors and consultants.
The LIRS boss stated that the effort is to ensure that all applicable taxes due for the year 2025 are fully remitted.
He emphasised that filing of annual returns is a mandatory legal obligation, and warned that failure to comply will result in statutory sanctions, including administrative penalties, as prescribed under the new tax law.
Mr Subair added that employers are required to file detailed annual returns of all emoluments paid to employees, citing Section 14 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA).
According to him, the filing includes taxes deducted and remitted to relevant tax authorities, insisting such returns must be filed and submitted not later than 31 January each year.
“Employers must prioritise the timely filing of their annual income tax returns. Compliance should be part of our everyday business practice. Early and accurate filing not only ensures adherence to the law as required by the Nigerian Constitution.
“But it also supports effective revenue tracking, which is important to Lagos State’s fiscal planning and sustainability,” the LIRS chairperson stated.
Electronic filing
He further noted that in Lagos State, electronic filing via the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved and acceptable mode of filing, as manual submissions have been completely phased out.
This measure, according to him, is aimed at simplifying and standardising tax administration processes in the State.
Employers are therefore required to submit their annual tax returns exclusively through the LIRS eTax portal: https://etax.lirs.net.
Mr Subair described the LIRS eTax platform as secure, user-friendly, accessible 24/7, and designed to provide employers with a convenient and efficient means of fulfilling their tax obligations.
The LIRS chairperson advised that employers should ensure that the TaxID (Tax Identification Number) of all employees is correctly captured in their filings, noting that employees without a TaxID must generate one promptly to avoid disruptions during the filing process.
