The Federal Government has issued the General Guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, setting out the transition framework from existing tax laws to the new tax regime scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The guidelines, released in Abuja, are designed to provide clarity for taxpayers, tax practitioners, and revenue authorities on how to manage obligations during the transition period.
A key provision states that tax returns for accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will continue to be filed under the repealed tax laws. However, returns due from January 1, 2026, onward will be administered under the new tax framework.
The Tax Acts 2025 include the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. The Nigeria Tax Act is expected to commence fully from January 1, 2026.
According to the document, all tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes, and enforcement actions relating to periods before the commencement date will remain subject to the repealed laws.
It further clarifies that existing tax incentives and exemptions will remain valid until their expiration, while new applications will be processed under the new tax structure.
Speaking on the development, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines are meant to ensure a smooth transition and prevent retrospective application of the new laws.
He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform agenda, adding that the framework is anchored on clarity, fairness, and administrative certainty.
The Federal Government also said the guidelines are aimed at ensuring uniform implementation across federal, state, and local revenue authorities, while promoting compliance and improving the country’s investment climate.