FG Issues Transition Guidelines for New Tax Regime Ahead of 2026 Rollout
Barbara Bako, Abuja.
The Federal Government has released comprehensive guidelines to facilitate the transition from Nigeria’s repealed tax laws to the new tax framework established under the Tax Acts 2025, ahead of their implementation on January 1, 2026.
The guidelines, issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance, provide direction to taxpayers, tax practitioners, revenue authorities and other stakeholders on the administration of tax matters during the transition period.
According to the government, the document outlines how tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes and enforcement actions relating to periods before the commencement of the new laws will be handled.
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.
The guidelines state that each law will take effect from its respective commencement date, with the Nigeria Tax Act scheduled to become operational on January 1, 2026.
Under the transition arrangement, tax returns relating to accounting periods ending before January 1, 2026, will continue to be filed and administered under the repealed tax laws. Returns due from that date onward, however, will be processed under the new tax framework.
The guidelines also address the treatment of income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping requirements and transactions that span both the old and new tax regimes.
The government further clarified that tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain valid until their expiration dates. However, new applications and pending requests will be considered under the provisions of the Tax Acts 2025.
Speaking on the release of the document, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the guidelines provide a framework for addressing transitional issues while ensuring that the new laws are not applied retrospectively.
He said the Tax Acts 2025 represent a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax reform programme and provide clarity on the treatment of existing obligations, ongoing matters and future transactions under the new regime.
According to the minister, the guidelines are built on three key principles clarity, fairness and administrative certainty.
He added that the document is 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 Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to building a transparent, efficient and modern tax system aimed at supporting economic growth, strengthening revenue administration, encouraging voluntary compliance and improving Nigeria’s investment climate.
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