By Israel Adebiyi

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has called on all taxpayers in the state to file their annual tax returns on or before March 31, 2026, warning that failure to comply will attract administrative penalties.

In a statement signed by the Executive Chairman of the Service, John Osirenimhe Odior, the agency described tax filing as a mandatory civic responsibility, stressing that it is “non-optional, statutory, legal, and civic obligation” for all eligible residents.

The Service noted that the directive applies to a wide range of taxpayers, including employees, professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, online traders, content creators, as well as artisans and operators within the informal sector.

According to the statement, the requirement is backed by relevant provisions of the law, including Section 24(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and Section 13 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025.

To ease compliance, the EIRS disclosed that it has fully transitioned to an electronic filing system, enabling taxpayers to complete and submit their returns remotely. 

Taxpayers are required to download and fill the prescribed Tax Form A via the agency’s official portal, providing details such as total annual income, personal relief claims, tax computations, and, where applicable, audited financial statements.

Other required documents include a valid Taxpayer Identification Number and evidence of payment of assessed tax. Completed forms are to be submitted electronically through the designated email channel provided by the Service.

The agency cautioned that non-compliance, refusal to file, or submission of false or incomplete information would attract sanctions in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act.

The EIRS further emphasized that timely tax filing remains critical to revenue generation and sustainable development in the state, urging taxpayers to take advantage of available support services at its offices or through its helpline for guidance.