Oyedele stressed that tax compliance is mandatory for both employers and individual taxpayers, regardless of whether taxes have already been deducted at source. He made the call during a webinar organised for HR managers, payroll officers, chief financial officers, and tax managers, in partnership with the Joint Revenue Board. The session was later shared on YouTube on Friday.
Speaking during the webinar, Oyedele noted that a significant number of employers are yet to file their annual tax returns for employees, even as statutory deadlines approach. He reminded employers that the law requires them to submit annual returns detailing employees’ emoluments, tax deductions, and projected staff costs.
“In terms of filing returns, you need to file annual returns as employers for your employees. Many of you must have done that already. If you haven’t, you have just a couple of days left to file those returns, including projections of how much you will pay your staff,” he said.
Beyond employers, Oyedele emphasised that individual taxpayers also have a responsibility to file self-assessment tax returns, describing compliance levels as alarmingly low nationwide. According to him, even states with relatively advanced tax systems record extremely poor filing rates.
“This is one area where we have been non-compliant in Nigeria. In many states, more than 90 per cent—even the most sophisticated states—cannot boast of 5 per cent filing returns,” he said.
He also addressed a common misconception among salaried workers who believe their tax obligations end once Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) deductions are made by their employers. Oyedele clarified that under both the old and newly reformed tax laws, employees are still legally required to file annual tax returns.
“Many people assume that if they are an employee and the employer has deducted pay, they don’t have to do anything. That is wrong. Both under the old and new tax laws, you must still file your returns,” he stated.
Oyedele acknowledged that the complexity of the filing process has contributed to poor compliance but assured taxpayers that steps are being taken to simplify the system. He said tax authorities at both federal and state levels are working to make filing more accessible and less burdensome for taxpayers.
“I’m sure the tax authorities, joint revenue boards, and various state internal revenue services are working on how to make this process simpler and easier. All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income. You must file returns by 31st March of the year in respect of the previous fiscal year,” he added.
He further highlighted new disclosure obligations introduced under recent tax reforms, particularly for companies benefiting from tax incentives. According to him, such entities are now required to formally declare any incentives enjoyed when submitting their tax returns or shortly thereafter.
“Under the new tax law, if you operate a business as an enterprise and you enjoy certain incentives, you have the obligation to disclose those incentives. There’s a disclosure requirement for tax incentives that is not available to everybody as a general rule for taxpayers,” Oyedele said.
Clarifying statutory deadlines, Oyedele noted that employers are required to file their annual returns by 31 January each year, covering employees’ emoluments and tax deductions for the preceding year. He urged both organisations and individuals to take compliance seriously, noting that improved filing rates are critical to strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal system and supporting effective public service delivery.