Annual Returns Filing Timeline in Nigeria for Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Annual Returns. Under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020, every registered entity must file a return to show they are still a “going concern.” This is not a tax; it is a notification of the company’s current structure.
New Companies (The 18-Month Rule)
If you recently registered your company, you are granted a “grace period.” You are not required to file an annual return in the same year of incorporation. Specifically:
- First Filing: Must be done within 18 months of your incorporation date.
- Example: A company incorporated in June 2025 must file its first return by December 2026.
Existing Companies (The 42-Day Rule)
For established companies, the timeline is tied to your Annual General Meeting (AGM):
- Deadline: Annual returns must be filed within 42 days after the AGM is held.
- Annual Requirement: Every company must hold an AGM at least once every calendar year.
- Gap Limit: The interval between one AGM and the next must not exceed 15 months.
Business Names and Trustees
- Business Names (Sole Proprietorships/Partnerships): Returns must be filed no later than June 30th of every year following the year of registration.
- Incorporated Trustees (NGOs/Churches/Clubs): Returns must be filed between June 30th and December 31st each year.
2. Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Tax Returns
While the CAC tracks your existence, the FIRS tracks your profits. The timeline here depends on your “Financial Year End” (FYE).
Companies Income Tax (CIT)
- Deadline: Returns must be filed within 6 months after the end of the company’s financial year.
- Standard Cycle: Most Nigerian companies use December 31st as their FYE. Therefore, their FIRS deadline is June 30th of the following year.
- New Companies: For a newly incorporated company, the first tax return is due within 18 months of incorporation or 6 months after its first accounting period, whichever comes first.
Value Added Tax (VAT) and WHT
- Timeline: These are monthly obligations. You must remit and file returns by the 21st day of the month following the transaction.
3. State Internal Revenue Service (SIRS) – Personal Income Tax
If you operate in Ibadan (Oyo State) or Lagos, you deal with the State IRS for Personal Income Tax (PIT) and PAYE (Pay As You Earn).
Employer’s Annual Returns (Form H1)
Every employer of labor must file a return of all emoluments paid to employees in the preceding year.
- Deadline: January 31st of every year.
- 2026 Note: In Lagos (LIRS) and some other states, this is strictly enforced via digital portals.
Individual Annual Tax Returns (Form A)
This applies to self-employed individuals, freelancers, and employees with multiple income sources.
- Deadline: March 31st of every year.
- Requirement: You must declare your total income from all sources for the previous calendar year.
4. Consequences of Late Filing in 2026
The Nigerian government has digitized most of these processes, making it easier to track defaulters. The penalties under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 and CAMA 2020 are significant.
For CAC Defaults:
- Status Change: Your company status on the CAC portal changes from “Active” to “Inactive.”
- Daily Fines: Small companies face an initial penalty (approx. ₦5,000) and daily fines for every day the default continues.
- Strike-off: Persistent failure leads to the CAC striking the company off the register, meaning the entity legally ceases to exist.
For FIRS/SIRS Defaults:
- Late Filing Penalty: Typically ₦25,000 for the first month and ₦5,000 for each subsequent month of default.
- Interest: Tax liabilities accrue interest at the prevailing Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) MPR plus a spread (usually 5%–10%).
5. Summary Table of Filing Timelines
| Entity Type | Regulator | Primary Deadline |
| Private Ltd Company | CAC | 42 days after AGM |
| Business Name | CAC | By June 30th annually |
| NGO / Trustees | CAC | June 30th – Dec 31st |
| Company Tax (CIT) | FIRS | 6 months after Financial Year End |
| Employer PAYE | State IRS | January 31st annually |
| Personal Income Tax | State IRS | March 31st annually |
6. How to Ensure Compliance
- Sync Your Dates: Try to hold your AGM early in the year so that your CAC and FIRS filings can be handled simultaneously.
- Appoint a Secretary: For companies, a dedicated Company Secretary ensures that AGM minutes and CAC returns are filed within that tight 42-day window.
- Digital Portals: Ensure you have your login credentials for the CAC Post-Incorporation portal and the Taxpro-Max (FIRS) portal.
- Audit Early: Start your financial audit in January if your year ends in December. Waiting until June to start your audit will almost certainly result in late FIRS filing.
Final Word
In the current Nigerian economic landscape, tax clearance certificates (TCC) and an “Active” CAC status are mandatory for government contracts, grants, and even opening corporate bank accounts. Keeping track of these timelines is no longer optional—it is a core pillar of business survival.
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