The Federal Government has released comprehensive guidelines to facilitate the transition from Nigeria’s existing tax laws to the newly enacted Tax Acts 2025, which will take effect from January 1, 2026.
In a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance on Thursday, the government said the General Guidelines for the Implementation of the Tax Acts 2025 are designed to provide clarity for taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on the administration of taxes during the transition period.
The ministry explained that the new tax framework comprises the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
According to the guidelines, 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disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before January 1, 2026, will continue to be governed by the repealed tax laws.
The document further stated that tax returns for accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the old tax regime, while returns relating to accounting periods ending from that date onward will be administered under the new framework.
The guidelines also address the treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping requirements and transactions that span both the old and new tax systems.
The Federal Government assured that existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain valid until their expiration dates. However, new applications and pending requests will be assessed under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.
Speaking on the development, the Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the guidelines as a critical framework for managing transitional issues and ensuring that the new tax laws are not applied retrospectively.
He said the Tax Acts 2025 represent a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme and provide a clear framework for handling existing obligations, ongoing matters and future transactions.
Oyedele noted that the guidelines are built on the principles of clarity, fairness and administrative certainty, adding that they are intended to ensure uniform implementation across the Nigeria Revenue Service, State Internal Revenue Services, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, Local Government Revenue Committees, tax practitioners and taxpayers nationwide.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system capable of supporting economic growth, strengthening revenue administration, promoting voluntary compliance and enhancing Nigeria’s investment climate.
