How to File Your 2026 Tax Return Under the New Nigeria Tax Act

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 gains

3. 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, rental

Example:
SourceAmount

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: ₦1,250,000

Statutory Deductions:

Pension contributions (8% of qualifying income)

NHF contributions (if applicable)

NHIS/health insurance premiums

Step 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 this

Example: 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]:

BracketRate

First ₦800,0000%
₦800,001 – ₦3,000,00015%
₦3,000,001 – ₦12,000,00018%
₦12,000,001 – ₦25,000,00021%
₦25,000,001 – ₦50,000,00023%
Above ₦50,000,00025%

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 TaxProMax

Common 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 — Late filing = ₦25,000 initial + ₦10,000/month; non-filing is worse: ₦100,000 + ₦50,000/month

Forgetting WHT credits — Every Naira already withheld reduces what you owe

Not claiming deductions — Track expenses throughout the year, not just at filing time

Let TaxJeje Handle the Math

This entire process — income tracking, FX conversion, deduction categorization, bracket calculation, and filing preparation — is exactly what TaxJeje automates.

Start Your Free Tax Calculation →

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References

References

1. Section 56, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 - Filing deadlines
2. Section 8, NTAA 2025 - TIN registration requirements and penalties
3. Section 69, NTA 2025 - Withholding tax credits
4. Section 30, NTA 2025 - Allowable deductions
5. Section 30(vi), NTA 2025 - Rent Relief
6. Fourth Schedule, NTA 2025 - Personal income tax brackets
7. Section 31, NTAA 2025 - Record retention requirements