Ah, I see exactly where the confusion comes from, and it’s a common one. Let’s go step by step and clarify how Personal Income Tax (PIT) works for someone like a Keke Napep driver in Lagos who has irregular income. I’ll also explain the “rent” part.

1. Who should file PIT

In Nigeria, anyone earning income, whether regular or irregular, is subject to Personal Income Tax. That includes:

Employees with salary (PAYE)

Self-employed people (like you, a Keke driver)

People earning from other sources (business, rent, freelance work, etc.)

So yes, even if your income varies daily, you are required to file tax on your total income for the year.

2. Determining your taxable income

For someone with variable income:

Track all earnings – Keep a record of your daily income. For example:

Day 1: ₦5,000

Day 2: ₦3,000

Day 3: ₦0

…and so on.

Calculate total income for the year – Sum up all your daily earnings to get your gross annual income.

3. Deductible expenses

You mentioned paying for repairs, fuel, and other business-related costs. You can subtract allowable business expenses to arrive at your net taxable income. Examples:

Repairs on your Keke Napep

Fuel/maintenance

Any licenses or permits related to your work

⚠️ Personal expenses, like food or house rent you pay as a tenant, are not deductible.

4. Taxes on other income (the “rent” confusion)

When I said “other income like rent,” I meant income you receive from renting out property, not rent you pay as a tenant.

Rent received = taxable income

Rent paid = personal expense → not taxable, not deductible

So for your situation: ignore the rent you pay as a tenant. It’s not income.

5. How to file PIT in Lagos as a self-employed person

In Lagos (and other Nigerian states):

Register with the State Tax Authority if you haven’t already. You may need a Tax Identification Number (TIN).

Prepare your total annual income statement (sum of all your earnings for 2025).

Deduct allowable business expenses (repairs, fuel, etc.) to get net income.

Apply Lagos State PIT rates:

Taxable Income (₦)

Tax Rate

0 – 300,000

7%

300,001 – 600,000

11%

600,001 – 1,100,000

15%

1,100,001 – 1,600,000

19%

1,600,001 – 3,200,000

21%

3,200,001 – 5,000,000

24%

5,000,001 +

24% + ₦?

(These are cumulative progressive rates.)

File online or at the LIRS office, pay your tax, and keep the receipt.

✅ Summary for you as a Keke driver:

Track all daily earnings.

Deduct business-related expenses only.

Ignore rent you pay as a tenant.

File and pay based on net taxable income.

If you want, I can make a simple template for a 2025 PIT calculation specifically for Keke drivers with variable daily income—it’ll show exactly how to add daily income, deduct repairs, and calculate Lagos tax.