FG releases transition guidelines for tax acts 2025

The Federal Government has issued the General Guidelines for the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, providing a structured framework for the transition from existing tax laws to the new tax regime, which takes effect from January 1, 2026.

The guidelines were released by the Federal Ministry of Finance to guide taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on how to manage obligations arising from the shift between the repealed tax laws and the new fiscal framework.

According to the document, the Tax Acts 2025—which include the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—will apply according to their respective commencement dates, with the Nigeria Tax Act taking effect from January 1, 2026.

It further clarified that tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before the effective date will continue to be handled under the repealed laws.

Tax returns covering accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will also be filed under the old tax framework, while returns for periods from that date onward will fall under the new system.

The guidelines address key areas including income tax, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping obligations and transactions that span both the old and new regimes.

Existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under previous laws will remain valid until their expiration, while new applications and pending requests will be assessed under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines are designed to manage transitional issues while ensuring the new laws are not applied retrospectively.

He described the Tax Acts 2025 as a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform agenda, noting that the framework promotes clarity, fairness and administrative certainty in implementation.

According to him, the guidelines will ensure uniform application 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 aimed at strengthening revenue administration, encouraging voluntary compliance and improving Nigeria’s investment climate.