Lagos State Extends Deadline For Residents To File Annual Tax Returns
Lagos State Extends Deadline for Residents to File Annual Tax Returns The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for individual annual income tax returns from March 31 to April 14, 2026, giving residents two extra weeks to complete and submit their filings. The announcement, made on Monday, March 31, was contained in a statement by Dr. Ayodele Subair, the Executive Chairman of LIRS. Although March 31 remains the statutory deadline under existing tax regulations, the extension is intended to provide additional time for taxpayers to gather their information and file accurate returns. According to the agency, the move aims to support taxpayers who may need more time to compile the required documentation, avoid errors in submission, and ultimately improve compliance with Lagos State’s tax laws. Residents were reminded that manual filing has been completely phased out and all tax returns must be submitted electronically through the LIRS eTax portal.
Dr. Subair also urged individuals not to treat the extension as an excuse to delay their obligations, emphasizing that timely and accurate filing should be a routine practice for all taxpayers.
- Employees under the Pay‑As‑You‑Earn (PAYE) system, who must confirm the taxes deducted by employers and ensure accurate reporting.
- Self‑employed individuals, freelancers, business owners and professionals who are required to declare their income and file annual returns.
Authorities also noted that tax clearance certificates often required for business dealings, government contracts and financial services may depend on proper submission of annual tax returns.
In urging residents to make use of the extended deadline, the LIRS reiterated that penalties may still apply for failure to meet the updated deadline and that taxpayers should take advantage of the additional time to avoid last‑minute rushes or errors The extension underscores the government’s effort to encourage voluntary compliance and accuracy in tax reporting, while accommodating residents facing challenges in completing their filings before the original statutory cutoff.
