How Do I Declare and File Personal Income Tax (PIT) in Nigeria Before the Deadline?

How to Declare Your Personal Income Tax (PIT) in Nigeria is very Simple.

Let me break this down in a way that even Mama Ngozi that sells Tomatoes in the Village will understand.

First….

What is Personal Income Tax (PIT)?

Personal Income Tax is simply:

The tax you pay on the money you earn (salary, business income, side hustle, etc.)

Let me explain this better with a Simple Story…

Imagine Mama Ngozi sells tomatoes in the village.

At the end of the year, she calculates:

• how much she made

• how much she spent

• how much profit is left

The government now says: “From your profit, you need to pay a small part as tax.”

That is exactly what Personal Income Tax means.

Who Should Declare PIT?

You must declare if you are:

• a salary earner

• self-employed (business owner, trader, freelancer)

• earning any form of income

Steps by Steps to Declare Your Personal Income Tax in Nigeria:

1: Determine Your Tax Authority

If you are employed, your employer handles it (PAYE)

If self-employed, you file it yourself with your State Internal Revenue Service

2: Get Your TIN (Tax Identification Number)

This is your tax ID

You can get it from your State Tax Office or online by visiting the Tax ID Retrieval Portal by Nigeria Revenue Service

3: Prepare Your Income Details

Gather:

• salary or business income

• other income sources

• expenses (if applicable)

4: Fill Your Tax Return Form

This can be done:

• online (in some states like Lagos)

• or physically at the tax office

5: Submit Before Deadline

In Nigeria, deadline is usually March 31st every year

6: Pay Any Tax Due

If you owe tax, make payment

If already deducted (PAYE), just file your return

Let me tell you something very important that Many People Don’t Know

Even if you have no income or very small income…

You are still expected to file a return

YES…

And Failure to do so can lead to:

• penalties

• future financial issues

So… Please Don’t wait till deadline.

Start now, even if it’s simple.

Because tax is not just a legal obligation…

It is part of being financially responsible