Your 2026 Tax Return is Due March 31, 2027
If you earned any income in 2026 — whether from a salary, freelance work, business revenue, or investments — you are required to file a tax return by March 31, 2027 under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025[1].
This is the first filing year under the new tax law, and the rules have changed significantly. This guide walks you through the entire process.
Before You Start: What You Need
Gather these documents before you begin:
1. Your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
Verify or retrieve your 13-digit TIN at taxid.nrs.gov.ng
If you don't have one, register immediately — failure to register carries a ₦50,000 fine plus ₦25,000/month[2]2. Income Records
Employment income: Your employer should provide a Form H1 (annual tax deduction schedule)
Freelance income: All payment records, invoices, and bank statements showing income received
Foreign income: Payment records with CBN exchange rates at date of receipt
Other income: Investment returns, rental income, crypto gains3. Deduction Records
Business expense receipts (internet, software, equipment, etc.)
Tenancy agreement and rent payment receipts (for Rent Relief)
Pension contribution records from your PFA
NHF and NHIS contribution records
Equipment purchase receipts (for capital allowances)4. WHT Certificates
If any payer withheld tax at source, collect your Withholding Tax certificates — these reduce your final liability[3].Step 1: Calculate Your Total Income
Add up all income sources for the 2026 tax year (January 1 – December 31, 2026).
For each income source:
Record the gross amount received
For foreign currency income, convert to Naira using the CBN rate on the date of receipt
Include all sources: salary, freelance, business, investment, rentalExample:
| Source | Amount |
| Employment salary | ₦8,000,000 |
| Freelance contracts ($12,000 × avg ₦1,550) | ₦18,600,000 |
| YouTube AdSense ($2,400 × avg ₦1,550) | ₦3,720,000 |
| Total Gross Income | ₦30,320,000 |
Step 2: Calculate Your Deductions
List all allowable deductions under Section 30 of the NTA 2025[4]:
Business Expenses (freelance/self-employed):
Internet and data: ₦200,000
Software subscriptions: ₦180,000
Equipment depreciation: ₦250,000
Professional development: ₦80,000
Bank and platform fees: ₦300,000
Home office (proportional): ₦240,000
Subtotal: ₦1,250,000Statutory Deductions:
Pension contributions (8% of qualifying income)
NHF contributions (if applicable)
NHIS/health insurance premiumsStep 3: Apply Rent Relief
Under NTA 2025, Rent Relief replaces the abolished CRA[5]:
20% of annual rent paid, maximum ₦500,000
You must have proof of rent payment
Homeowners who don't pay rent cannot claim thisExample: Annual rent of ₦2,000,000 → Rent Relief = ₦400,000
Step 4: Calculate Your Tax
Apply the NTA 2025 progressive brackets to your chargeable income[6]:
| Bracket | Rate |
| First ₦800,000 | 0% |
| ₦800,001 – ₦3,000,000 | 15% |
| ₦3,000,001 – ₦12,000,000 | 18% |
| ₦12,000,001 – ₦25,000,000 | 21% |
| ₦25,000,001 – ₦50,000,000 | 23% |
| Above ₦50,000,000 | 25% |
Subtract any WHT credits from the total to get the amount you owe.
Step 5: File on TaxProMax
Log in to taxpromax.firs.gov.ng with your TIN credentials
Select "File Returns" → "Annual Returns" → Tax Year 2026
Enter your income by source
Enter your deductions and reliefs
The system calculates your tax — verify against your own calculation
Submit the return
If tax is owed, pay through the portal (bank transfer, card, or USSD)Save your submission receipt and reference number.
Step 6: After Filing
Download and save your filing confirmation
Keep all supporting documents for 6 years (NTAA Section 31)[7]
Set a reminder for next year's deadline
If you overpaid (PAYE exceeded liability), apply for a refund through TaxProMaxCommon Mistakes to Avoid
Using the old CRA formula — CRA is abolished. Use Rent Relief instead
Not converting foreign income — All income must be in NGN using CBN rates
Missing the deadline — Filing late or not at all triggers ₦100,000 for the first month plus ₦50,000 per subsequent month (NTAA Section 101). NTA 2025 doesn't recognise the old PITA "late filing" lower tier — the ₦25,000 + ₦10,000/month figures are obsolete.
Forgetting WHT credits — Every Naira already withheld reduces what you owe
Not claiming deductions — Track expenses throughout the year, not just at filing timeLet TaxJeje Handle the Math
This entire process — income tracking, FX conversion, deduction categorization, bracket calculation, and filing preparation — is exactly what TaxJeje automates.
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References
References
- Section 56, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 - Filing deadlines
- Section 8, NTAA 2025 - TIN registration requirements and penalties
- Section 69, NTA 2025 - Withholding tax credits
- Section 30, NTA 2025 - Allowable deductions
- Section 30(vi), NTA 2025 - Rent Relief
- Fourth Schedule, NTA 2025 - Personal income tax brackets
- Section 31, NTAA 2025 - Record retention requirements
