LIRS urged residents to file 2025 tax returns before March 31 deadline

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has directed all residents to submit their annual tax returns for the 2025 fiscal year by March 31, 2026, warning that failure to comply will attract substantial penalties.

Abideen Akande, Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman of LIRS, told Guardian Nigeria that filing is mandatory for all residents, including those who believe they have no tax liability. He explained that the annual filing process allows the tax authority to verify income earned and taxes already paid under Nigeria’s self-assessment system.

“Even if you believe you owe no tax, filing is required. This ensures transparency and compliance under the self-assessment regime,” Akande said.

How Residents Can File

Residents can submit their tax returns via the LIRS e-tax platform at e-tax.lirs.net

. Taxpayers are required to disclose all sources of income, including: Salaries and wages; Side businesses or freelance work; Rental income; Investment earnings, such as dividends; Penalties for Non-Compliance; Akande warned that non-compliance carries financial consequences:

N100,000 for the first month of default

N50,000 for each subsequent month until returns are filed

Expert Analysis

Tax compliance experts say timely filing ensures residents avoid penalties and helps the government maintain accurate revenue records. Chukwudi Okoye, a Lagos-based tax consultant, commented: “Early filing reduces last-minute rush and allows taxpayers to reconcile payments. LIRS has made the process straightforward through the e-tax portal, so there is no reason to delay.”

Residents are urged to take advantage of the online platform to file returns promptly and ensure compliance ahead of the March 31 deadline, helping both personal accountability and Lagos State’s revenue sustainability.