LIRS fixes January 31 deadline for filing annual tax returns, to impose penalties, sanctions

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has announced January 31, 2022, as the deadline for the filing of annual tax returns by employers of labour.

The LIRS said that the filing of the annual income tax returns in the state can only be done through the e-Tax portal, which has been built for the convenience of the taxpayers.

According to a press statement issued and signed by the Head, Corporate Communications of LIRS, Monsurat Amasa, this was made known by the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair, who urged employers of Lagos residents to comply with the January 31 deadline to avoid payment of penalties as well as other statutory sanctions.

Subair said that taxpayer ID of all employees is compulsory for the annual income tax returns to be successfully filed on the e-Tax portal.

The statement partly reads, ‘’The LIRS also reminds businesses and employers of labour of their statutory obligation to file annual income tax returns pursuant to section 81 (2) of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) Cap P8 LFN 2004 (as amended). The Act stipulates January 31st as the deadline for filing of annual income tax returns, failing which penalty accrues.

‘’The Executive Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Ayodele Subair urges all businesses and employers of labour resident within Lagos State, to file their annual income tax returns on or before January 31, 2022, to avoid payment of penalties as well as other statutory sanctions.

‘’The only available platform for filing of annual income tax returns in Lagos State is the LIRS e-Tax portal: https://etax.lirs.net. The e-Tax portal is built for convenience of taxpayers, is easy, convenient and safe. All businesses and employers of labour are advised to use the e-Tax portal to file their returns.

‘’Taxpayer ID of all employees is compulsory for the annual income tax returns to be successful filed on the e-Tax portal. Therefore, all employees and taxable persons within the State are advised to generate a taxpayer ID (where applicable) and file their individual annual income tax returns on the e-Tax portal.’’

The LIRS in the statement said that it has designated some staff at its various offices to assist taxpayers with using the e-Tax portal and other filing related issues as part of the agency’s quest to ease compliance obligations for taxpayers.

It also noted that for more information or any inquiries, taxpayers are enjoined to visit the agency’s website: www.lirs.gov.ng, follow on their various social media platforms: @lirsgovng, email: etaxinfo@lirs.net or call the LIRS customer care hotline: 0700CALL LIRS (0700-2255-5477).
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Recall that in a similar situation, the LIRS had in March 2021, announced that taxpayers in Lagos State had up to 31st of March, 2021 to clear up outstanding tax owed to the state government