LIRS extends deadline for employers’ Annual Tax Returns

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for the filing of employers’ annual tax returns by one week, shifting the cut-off date from February 1 to February 7, 2026.

The extension was announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair, who explained that the statutory deadline for filing employers’ annual returns is January 31 of every year.

According to Subair, the decision to grant additional time was aimed at giving employers the opportunity to complete and submit accurate returns, while reinforcing the importance of voluntary compliance with tax regulations.

He stressed that employers must prioritise the timely filing of their annual tax returns, noting that tax compliance should be embedded as a routine and integral part of business operations in the state.

The LIRS chairman also reiterated that electronic filing via the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved channel for submitting annual returns, as manual filings have been completely phased out. Employers are therefore required to file exclusively through the official eTax portal.

Describing the platform as secure, user-friendly and accessible round the clock, Subair urged employers to ensure that the Tax Identification Numbers (TaxID) of all employees are correctly captured during the submission process to avoid errors and possible penalties.

He further advised organisations that may require guidance or technical support to take advantage of LIRS customer service channels or visit any of the Service’s offices across the state.

The LIRS reaffirmed its commitment to improving tax administration through technology-driven solutions and sustained stakeholder engagement, while encouraging employers to take full advantage of the extended window to meet their statutory obligations.