When is a newly registered company in Nigeria (July 2025) required to start filing tax returns with FIRS?

Since you registered a company (not just a personal business) in July 2025, your tax obligations follow corporate rules in Nigeria. Let’s make it precise.
🧠 1. When Is Your First Tax Filing Due?
You’re governed by the
👉 Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)
📅 Rule:
A company must file its first Companies Income Tax (CIT) return within 18 months of incorporation OR 6 months after its first accounting year-end — whichever comes first.
📌 Apply It to Your Case
Registered: July 2025
Now you must choose an accounting year-end (e.g., 31 Dec 2025)
Scenario A (most common):
Year-end: 31 Dec 2025
Filing deadline: 30 June 2026
👉 This is likely your case.
🧾 2. What Taxes Are You Expected to File?
Even as a welder, once registered as a company, you must handle:
✅ 1. Companies Income Tax (CIT)
Tax on your profit
Rate:
0% (if turnover ₦100m)
✅ 2. Value Added Tax (VAT)
7.5% on goods/services
Filed monthly
👉 Even small businesses are expected to file VAT if applicable.
✅ 3. Withholding Tax (WHT)
Deducted when:
You pay contractors/suppliers
⚠️ Important Reality
Even if:
You made no profit
Or business was slow
👉 You are still required to file returns (even NIL returns)
🪜 3. Step-by-Step: How to File Your Tax
Step 1: Get Your TIN
Issued automatically when you register with
👉 Corporate Affairs Commission
Step 2: Register on FIRS Portal
Go to: https://taxpro-max.firs.gov.ng⁠�
Create account using:
TIN
Company details
Step 3: Prepare Your Financial Records
You’ll need:
Income (jobs done as welder 🔧)
Expenses (materials, transport, etc.)
Profit calculation
👉 This is where many people struggle.
Step 4: File CIT Returns
Upload:
Financial statements
Tax computation
Step 5: Pay Tax (if applicable)
Payment done online via FIRS portal
💡 Practical Advice (Very Important for You)
As a welder running a small company:
👉 Don’t overcomplicate things.
You have 2 options:
Option A (Recommended):
Hire:
A small accountant or tax consultant
Cost:
₦20k – ₦50k (approx)
👉 Saves you:
Errors
Penalties
Stress
Option B (DIY – if business is small)
Keep simple records:
Jobs done
Money received
Expenses
Then file yourself on FIRS portal.
⚠️ Penalties (Don’t Ignore This)
Late filing:
₦25,000 (first month)
₦5,000 per additional month
👉 Avoid this.
🔚 Bottom Line
Your likely deadline: June 30, 2026
You must file even if no profit
Start preparing records now
🔧 My Straight Advice
Since you’re still early-stage:
👉 Focus on:
Proper record keeping
Compliance from the beginning
That’s how small businesses grow into serious companies.