By Monsurat Abisoye
The Federal Government has issued transition guidelines to guide the implementation of the Tax Acts 2025, outlining how taxpayers, tax authorities, and stakeholders should manage obligations arising from the shift from the former tax regime to the new framework, which took effect on 1 January 2026.
According to a statement on Thursday by Efe Ovuakporie, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, the guidelines provide direction on the handling of tax liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes, and enforcement actions relating to periods before and after the new laws came into force.
The ministry explained that the General Guidelines set out procedures for transitioning from the repealed tax laws to the new system. 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, all of which apply from their respective commencement dates as specified in the legislation.
It clarified that tax matters relating to periods before 1 January 2026, including liabilities, assessments, audits, investigations, disputes, and enforcement actions, will continue to be handled under the repealed laws. In the same vein, tax returns for accounting periods ending before that date are to be filed under the old regime, while returns due from 1 January 2026 onwards will fall under the new framework.
The guidelines also cover income tax, transaction taxes, development levies, tax incentives, exemptions, record-keeping requirements, and transactions that span both tax regimes. Existing tax incentives and exemptions granted under the repealed laws will remain valid until their expiration, while new applications and pending requests will be assessed under the Tax Acts 2025.
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the document was designed to clarify transitional issues and ensure that the new tax laws are not applied retrospectively. He described the reform as a major milestone in Nigeria’s tax system, noting that it provides clarity on how existing obligations, ongoing matters, and future transactions will be treated.
According to him, the framework is based on principles of clarity, fairness, and administrative certainty.
The ministry added that the guidelines are aimed at ensuring 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.
It further stated that the government remains committed to building a transparent and efficient tax system that supports economic growth, improves revenue administration, encourages voluntary compliance, and enhances the investment climate.
The guidelines come as the Tax Acts 2025 continue to take effect, introducing significant reforms expected to reshape tax collection and compliance processes across Nigeria.