The Federal Government has assured taxpayers and investors that existing tax incentives, exemptions and obligations will remain protected under the transition to Nigeria’s new tax regime, as authorities move to ensure a seamless implementation of the Tax Acts 2025.
Government’s assurance followed the release of comprehensive transition guidelines designed to clarify how tax liabilities, audits, investigations, disputes and incentives will be treated as the country migrates from the old tax framework to the new system that took effect on January 1, 2026.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Efe Ovuakporie, the government said the guidelines provide certainty for taxpayers, tax authorities and other stakeholders by outlining the treatment of transactions and obligations spanning both tax regimes.
According to the ministry, incentives and exemptions granted under repealed tax laws will remain valid until their expiration dates, while ongoing audits, investigations and enforcement actions relating to periods before the commencement of the new laws will continue to be governed by the former legal framework.
The ministry explained that tax returns covering accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the old tax laws, whereas returns due from that date onward will be administered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.
The guidelines also address the treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, record-keeping obligations and other tax matters that may overlap both regimes.
Speaking on the transition framework, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines were developed to provide clarity and prevent uncertainty during the implementation process.
He noted that the framework ensures the new tax laws are not applied retrospectively while providing a clear roadmap for managing existing obligations, pending matters and future transactions.
According to him, the transition process is anchored on the principles of clarity, fairness and administrative certainty.
The ministry noted that new applications and pending requests for tax incentives will henceforth be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025, which introduced significant reforms to Nigeria’s tax administration system.
It added that the guidelines are expected to promote uniform implementation across the Nigeria Revenue Service, state internal revenue services, the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service, local government revenue committees, tax practitioners and taxpayers nationwide.
The government reiterated its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system that supports economic growth, strengthens revenue administration, encourages voluntary compliance and enhances Nigeria’s attractiveness to investors.
The Tax Acts 2025 comprise the Nigeria Revenue Service, Establishment, Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act and the Joint Revenue Board, Establishment, Act, which collectively form the foundation of the country’s reformed tax framework.
