Lagos Tax Payers Get Extra Two Weeks to File Annual Tax Returns

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing annual tax returns by residents of the metropolis.

The deadline was extended by the agency for two weeks, a statement disclosed, noting that the new date is Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

Individuals living in Lagos were earlier given till Wednesday, March 31, 2021, to file their annual tax returns but the LIRS explained that it decided to shift it forward in furtherance of the commitment to continuously mitigate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on taxpayers in Lagos State.

“Statutorily, the filing of individual annual tax returns expires on March 31st of every fiscal year and attracts penalties for defaulters.

“Taxpayers are thereby urged to take advantage of this extension to perform their civic obligation,” the Executive Chairman of the LIRS, Mr Ayodele Subair, was quoted as saying in the statement.

He noted that, “The extension of the deadline is in response to appeals made by taxpayers as well as an attempt to assuage the effect of the pandemic on the taxpayers and residents of Lagos State.”

The LIRS, in the statement, appealed to residents of Lagos State to support the efforts of the Lagos State Government led by Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu by adhering strictly to the safety guidelines as issued by relevant health authorities.

It urged taxpayers with difficulties in filing their annual return to seek assistance with specially designated staff at our tax stations state-wide or call its customer care representatives on 0700CALLLIRS (0700-2255-5477).

The agency said further updates on its business operations and alternative payment platforms of the service can be obtained by visiting www.lirs.gov.ng and its various social media platforms @lirsgovng.

In accordance with the provisions of Section 41 of the Personal Income Tax Act LFN 2004 as amended, all taxable person(s), including self-employed, employees, professionals, in Lagos State are required to file their individual annual tax returns for the 2020 year of assessment.