It’s not just your employer’s problem. If you freelance, run a business, or earn from any source, this is for you.
The deadline is three days away. And a lot of Nigerians have no idea they’re supposed to be filing anything.
March 31, 2026, is the cutoff for submitting 2025 Personal Income Tax (PIT) returns, and this year, the government isn’t just talking.
Enforcement is intensifying nationwide, the tax net is expanding, and the penalties for missing the deadline are real.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who actually needs to file, and yes, it might be you
This is where most Nigerians get caught out. The filing requirement doesn’t just apply to business owners or high earners.
It covers essentially every taxable individual in Nigeria, employees under the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) system, self-employed persons, freelancers, business owners, and people in the informal sector.
If you earn money in Nigeria, you are likely expected to file.
And here’s the part that surprises most people: even if your employer has already been deducting taxes at source, you are still required to file annual returns declaring all your income.
The deduction at source does not replace the filing. It’s a common misconception, and an expensive one.
What happens if you miss it
The penalties are not suggestions.
Miss the March 31 deadline, and you’re looking at an automatic ₦100,000 fine for the first month of default. After that, it’s an additional ₦50,000 for every subsequent month you remain non-compliant.
On top of that, defaulters may face interest charges on any outstanding tax liabilities, plus best-of-judgment assessments, meaning the tax authorities can estimate what they think you owe and bill you accordingly, without your input.
There is also a separate warning from tax authorities to Nigerians about the accuracy of what you submit. Filing false information or forged documents carries additional penalties under applicable law.
So rushing to file something incorrectly to beat the deadline isn’t a solution either.
This push is part of Nigeria’s ongoing effort to widen its tax base and close compliance gaps that have cost the government significant revenue for years.
Taxing a larger portion of Nigerians, including the informal sector, is a key part of the current administration’s fiscal strategy.
Whether you agree with the approach or not, the enforcement is moving. And ignorance of the deadline is not a defence.
If you haven’t filed, and the deadline is March 31, the time to act is today. Visit your state’s Internal Revenue Service portal or office, gather your income records for 2025, and submit your returns before the window closes.
Three days is tight for Nigerians. But it’s still enough time to avoid a ₦100,000 fine.
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