AdminThe Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has given January 31 2025 as deadline for employers in Lagos State to conclude filling of annual tax returns for the 2024 financial year.
LIRS said filing of annual tax return is a statutory obligation that every employer in the state must fulfill as required by the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) Cap P8 LFN 2004 (as amended).
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In a statement, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Dr. Ayodele Subair, stressed that meeting this deadline is a legal obligation. He warned that failure to comply will result in statutory sanctions, including penalties, as prescribed by law.
Section 81 of PITA mandates employers to submit comprehensive annual returns detailing all emoluments paid to employees, including taxes deducted and remitted to relevant tax authorities. These returns must be filed no later than January 31 each year and cover the income and taxes paid during the preceding year (2024).
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“Employers must prioritize the timely filing of their annual income tax returns to avoid penalties,” Dr. Subair warned.
“Submitting returns on or before the deadline ensures compliance with the law and supports accurate revenue tracking, which is essential for Lagos State’s fiscal planning and sustainability” the LIRS Executive Chairman emphasised.
The statement explained that LIRS has transitioned to a fully digital filing system which simplifies the process. It urged employers to file their annual tax returns exclusively through the LIRS e-Tax portal at https://etax.lirs.net.
It said that manual submissions are no longer accepted.
Mr. Subair described the e-Tax platform as secure, user-friendly, and designed to provide employers with a convenient way to manage their tax obligations.
The service reminded employers to include the Payer ID of all employees in their returns. Employees without a Taxpayer ID are advised to generate one immediately on the e-Tax platform to prevent disruptions during the filing process.
To assist employers, LIRS has deployed staff across its offices to provide guidance on using the e-Tax portal and addressing related concerns. Employers are encouraged to act promptly to meet the deadline and ensure compliance with tax laws.
