2025 Updates
Last updated: December 2025

Complete Nigeria Tax Guide

A comprehensive breakdown of the new tax laws affecting individuals, companies, and businesses in Nigeria. Understand your obligations and maximize your reliefs.

1. Personal Income Tax (PIT)

Key Highlights

  • Exempt Annual Income: ≤ ₦800,000
  • Rent Relief: Up to ₦200,000

Income & Exemptions

  • Tax-Exempt Threshold: Individuals earning ₦800,000 or less per annum are exempt from paying income tax.
  • Compensation Exemptions: Compensation for loss of employment or injury is exempt up to ₦50 million.

Reliefs & Deductions

  • Rent Relief: Deduction of up to ₦200,000 per annum.
  • Other Reliefs: Life insurance premiums, voluntary pension contributions, and specific reliefs for disabled persons are deductible.

Filing

Salaried workers with an annual income of less than ₦5 million are eligible for simplified filing procedures.

2. Corporate Income Tax (CIT)

Exemption Status (Small Company)

Companies with Turnover ≤ ₦100 million AND Assets ≤ ₦250 million qualify as "Small Companies" and are exempt from certain taxes.

Tax Rates & Levies

  • Standard CIT Rate: Typically 25% of assessable profit (profit before depreciation and tax).
  • Development Levy: 4% of assessable profits for non-exempt companies.
  • Capital Gains Tax (CGT): 30% for companies.
  • Minimum Effective Tax Rate (ETR): At least 15% required for large multinationals (Turnover ≥ ₦50bn).

Incentives & Deductions

  • Economic Development Incentive: 5% tax credit per annum for 5 years on qualifying capital expenditures.
  • R&D Deduction: Up to 5% of the company’s turnover may be deductible for Research & Development.

Specific Surcharges

  • Fossil Fuel Surcharge: 5% levy on petroleum-related products.
  • Stamp Duty: Applicable on long-term loan capital (tenure > 12 months).
  • Payroll Contributions:
    • Pension: Minimum 18% (10% employer / 8% employee).
    • Employee Compensation Scheme: 1% of payroll.
    • Industrial Training Fund (ITF): 1% of payroll (for applicable companies).

3. Value Added Tax (VAT)

7.5%

Standard VAT Rate

Applicable to all non-exempt goods and services.

  • Input VAT Claims: Now recoverable on all inputs, including capital items (assets).
  • Zero-Rated/Exempt Items: Basic food items, educational materials, electricity, medical goods, and exports.
  • Digital Service VAT: VAT now explicitly applies to streaming services, SaaS, and digital platforms.
  • Filing: Monthly e-invoicing and VAT returns are mandatory via the Electronic Fiscal System.