Thousands of Nigerian taxpayers were left stranded on Monday after technical glitches crippled the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) online portal, disrupting last-minute attempts to file annual tax returns. With the statutory deadline for the 2025 assessment year falling on March 31, many taxpayers were left uncertain about their compliance and potential penalties.
Under Nigeria’s tax laws, all individuals earning income are required to submit personal income tax returns within the first 90 days of the year, effectively setting March 31 as the final date. Failure to comply can attract fines, interest charges, and enforcement actions under the Nigeria Tax Administration framework and the Personal Income Tax Act, meaning that even technical failures do not exempt taxpayers from liability.
At FCT-IRS headquarters in Abuja, chaotic scenes unfolded as long queues formed and online platforms remained unresponsive. “I have been trying to upload my documents since morning, but the system is not responding,” said one frustrated taxpayer. Officials, however, insisted that penalties would still apply to defaulters, emphasizing that filing remains a statutory obligation regardless of system issues.
Tax experts reiterated that annual filing is a constitutional and legal requirement for all income earners, including employees, business owners, professionals, and informal sector operators. They warn that missing the deadline could result in fines, accruing interest, and other enforcement measures, depending on applicable regulations. The disruption has fueled debate on whether taxpayers should bear the consequences for institutional inefficiencies.
In recent weeks, revenue services across Nigerian states intensified awareness campaigns urging early filing to prevent last-minute bottlenecks. Monday’s portal failure in Abuja highlights critical concerns about system readiness and infrastructure, emphasizing the tension between strict tax enforcement and the realities of Nigeria’s digital capabilities. As the deadline passes, thousands of taxpayers now face uncertainty over potential sanctions despite attempts to comply.
source: Leadership