Nigerian govt releases tax act guidelines nearly six months after kickoff

The Nigerian government has finally issued general guidelines for the implementation of Tax Acts 2025 nearly six months into its commencement on January 1, 2026. 

This was disclosed in a statement on Thursday by the spokesperson of the finance ministry, Efe Ovuakporie. 

According to the federal government, the guidelines set out the process for transition from the repealed tax laws to the new tax framework, which took effect on January 1. 

The Nigerian government explained that the guidelines provide direction to taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities, and other stakeholders on how to address various issues arising from the old regime to the new framework.

Commenting on the guidelines’ release, the minister of finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the document provides a framework for managing transitional issues while ensuring that the new laws are not applied retrospectively.

He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform program, noting that the guidelines set out how existing obligations, ongoing matters, and future transactions will be treated under the new regime.

According to the minister, the guidelines are anchored on three key principles – clarity, fairness, and administrative certainty.

“The Guidelines are intended to promote uniform implementation and support effective administration across the Nigeria Revenue Service, State Internal Revenue Services, the FCT Internal Revenue Service, Local Government Revenue Committees, tax practitioners, and taxpayers nationwide,” the Nigerian government stated.