The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service has pushed back the deadline for employers to file their annual tax returns by one week, from February 1 to February 7.

The extension was announced in an official statement on Friday by LIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Ayodele Subair.

The move aims to make compliance easier for employers while promoting accurate submissions ahead of the state’s planned stricter enforcement of tax regulations.

Dr. Subair noted that, under current regulations, employers are required to file their annual tax returns by January 31 each year.

He explained that LIRS granted a brief extension to give employers extra time to complete their filings accurately, helping them avoid mistakes that could result in penalties or increased scrutiny.

The chairman emphasized that filing annual returns on time is a fundamental responsibility for employers, stressing that tax compliance should be integrated into regular business practices.

He added that the deadline extension should not be seen as a relaxation of enforcement standards.

“Employers must give priority to the timely filing of their annual returns, and compliance should be embedded as a routine business practice.

“Electronic filing through the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved method for submitting annual returns, as manual filings have been completely phased out.

“Employers are therefore required to file their returns exclusively through the LIRS eTax portal: https://etax.lirs.net,” he said.

Subair also urged employers to ensure that the Tax Identification Number of all employees is accurately included in their submissions, advising them to visit any LIRS office or use official communication channels for guidance and support.

The renewed focus on compliance comes after LIRS recently announced stricter tax recovery measures under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025.

Last week, the agency revealed plans to exercise its statutory power of substitution to recover outstanding tax liabilities from defaulting taxpayers.