Here’s the breakdown of your situation regarding Nigerian Personal Income Tax (PIT):

1. Who is liable for PIT in Nigeria

In Nigeria, PIT is residence-based under the law:

Resident individuals — you are liable to pay tax on all income earned in Nigeria, regardless of where it comes from.

Non-residents — you are generally taxed only on Nigerian-source income.

Key point: foreign income earned outside Nigeria by someone who is not currently a resident is not taxed in Nigeria, even if you have a Nigerian bank account.

2. Applying this to your case

You are not in Nigeria (non-resident).

Your earnings come from outside Nigeria (foreign income).

Your Nigerian bank account is only used for savings and other transactions, not income receipt.

✅ Conclusion: You do not need to file PIT in Nigeria for this foreign income, because Nigerian PIT only applies to:

Income earned while residing in Nigeria, or

Income sourced from Nigeria (e.g., salary from a Nigerian employer, business income in Nigeria, rent from Nigerian property).

Your bank account alone does not create a tax obligation if no income is credited from Nigerian sources.

3. Exceptions / things to watch out for

If you start earning income from a Nigerian source (e.g., consulting for a Nigerian company, receiving rent from Nigerian property, dividends from Nigerian stocks), that income must be declared and taxed.

If your Nigerian bank account receives foreign income and you later remit it into Nigeria for business purposes, it still does not automatically trigger PIT, but check for regulatory or bank reporting requirements.

Some other taxes (like CBN regulations on large transfers) may apply to the bank account, but that is not PIT.

✅ Key takeaway

If you are a non-resident and your income does not originate from Nigeria, you do not have to file PIT in Nigeria, even if you have a Nigerian bank account. Only Nigerian-source income triggers PIT obligations.

If you want, I can make a simple flowchart/checklist for you that tells exactly when a Nigerian citizen or resident must file PIT, including all foreign income scenarios — so you can quickly check your filing obligations next year.

Short answer: It depends on your tax residency and where your income comes from.

Not everyone living outside Nigeria must file Nigerian Personal Income Tax.

Let me explain simply 👇

Does Tax Filing Apply to Nigerians Living Outside Nigeria?

Under Nigeria’s tax law (Personal Income Tax Act), your obligation depends on:

1. Where You Live (Tax Residency)

You’re considered tax resident in Nigeria if:

You live in Nigeria for 183 days or more in a year

You have your main business in Nigeria

Your employer is in Nigeria

If you live abroad permanently, you may not be required to file Personal Income Tax in Nigeria.

Your Situation (Based on Your Question)

You said:

You live outside Nigeria

You do business outside Nigeria

You only have Nigerian bank account

You use it for stock trading

You send money to family & friends

Here is what applies:

Case 1: Foreign Income Only

If:

Your income is earned outside Nigeria

Business is outside Nigeria

Employment is outside Nigeria

Then:

✅ You may not need to file Personal Income Tax in Nigeria

Because Nigeria generally taxes Nigerian residents, not non-residents.

Case 2: Nigerian Income Exists

You may need to file if you earn income from Nigeria like:

Nigerian salary

Nigerian business income

Rental income from Nigeria

Dividends from Nigerian companies

Nigerian consulting income

In this case, you may need to file with:

Federal Inland Revenue Service (sometimes)

OR

Your state tax authority like

Lagos State Internal Revenue Service

What About Stock Trading in Nigeria?

If you only:

Buy Nigerian stocks

Receive dividends

Then:

Good news 👇

Dividend income is usually:

✅ Already taxed at 10% Withholding Tax

So:

You may not need to file separately.

Sending Money to Family & Friends

This is:

❌ Not taxable

❌ Not income

❌ No tax filing required

So you’re safe there.

Simple Rule

You likely do NOT need to file if:

✔ You live abroad

✔ You earn abroad

✔ Only use Nigerian bank for investment

You may need to file if:

✔ You earn income from Nigeria

One Important Tip

Many Nigerians abroad still file Nil Returns to:

Maintain tax record

Avoid future issues

For visa / loan / investment proof

Not compulsory — but sometimes helpful.

Since you’re active in investment discussions (like your FGN bonds, stocks, etc.), this becomes useful if you plan:

Getting bank loans

Large investments

Business registration later