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Reginard Chinonso
Asked: 2026-03-19T12:46:26+00:00 In:

Are Staff Cooperative Investment Accounts in Nigeria Subject to Tax Under the New Tax Law?

Thank you very much for the enlightenment and education you provide. I would appreciate your advice on a matter.

At my workplace, we operate a joint account in the names of two members, where interested staff contribute monthly from their salaries. These funds are then used to provide loans to our suppliers at a 10% interest rate, which is repaid when our organization settles payments for supplies. At the end of the year, contributors receive their total contributions along with a share of the accrued interest.

Our concern is with the new tax law. We are worried that the account may be subject to income tax at year-end, even though the contributions are made from already taxed salaries.

Kindly advise us on the best course of action, particularly regarding the appropriate type of account or structure to operate under in this situation.

Thank you very much.

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3 Answers

  1. Chinedu Okafor, CFA
    Best Answer
    Expert Financial Analyst

    Your situation is a very good one, and the concern about tax is valid, but it is important to understand how it really works. First, the money you contribute from your salary is not taxed again. That part is already after tax, so there is no issue with double taxation on the principal contributions.Read more

    Your situation is a very good one, and the concern about tax is valid, but it is important to understand how it really works.

    First, the money you contribute from your salary is not taxed again. That part is already after tax, so there is no issue with double taxation on the principal contributions.

    However, the interest your cooperative earns from lending money is considered income. That interest is what may attract tax under Nigerian tax laws, because it is profit generated from an investment activity, not your salary.

    Let me Explain:
    Imagine a group of traders contributing money together to lend to another trader at interest. The money they all contributed is not taxed again when returned to them, but the interest they make from lending the money is like profit from a small business, and profit is what tax authorities may look at.

    Now, regarding structure, it is important that your cooperative operates with proper documentation and possibly as a registered entity.
    Many staff cooperatives register as cooperative societies or formal associations so that they can operate transparently and manage tax matters better.

    The best approach is to:
    Keep clear records of contributions and interest earned
    Separate contributions from profits
    Consider registering the cooperative officially with CAC if not already done
    Consult a tax professional or accountant to understand how to correctly declare or manage the interest portion

    Contributions are not the problem, but the profit earned from those contributions is what may attract tax, because it is treated as investment income.

    So the key is proper structure, proper record keeping, and professional guidance to ensure compliance while continuing your cooperative activities smoothly.

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