FG issues transition guidelines for tax acts 2025

The Federal Government has released general guidelines for implementing the Tax Acts 2025, outlining the transition process from repealed tax laws to a new tax framework that takes effect from January 1, 2026.

The guidelines, issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, provide direction to taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on managing issues arising from the transition to the new tax regime.

According to the ministry, 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, each taking effect from their respective commencement dates as provided in the laws.

The ministry stated that tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before January 1, 2026, will continue to be governed by the repealed tax laws.

Similarly, tax returns for accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will be filed under the previous laws, while returns for accounting periods ending from January 1, 2026, onward will be administered under the new tax framework.

The guidelines also provide for the treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping obligations and transactions that span both the old and new tax regimes.

According to the document, existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain valid until their expiration dates, while new applications and pending requests will be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.

Speaking on the development, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, described the Tax Acts 2025 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme.

He said the guidelines establish a framework for addressing transitional issues while ensuring that the new tax laws are not applied retrospectively.

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

The minister added that the framework is designed to promote uniform implementation and support effective tax 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 Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system capable of supporting economic growth, strengthening revenue administration, encouraging voluntary compliance and improving Nigeria’s investment climate.