Nigerian Tax Act 2025 - Tax Brackets Explained
The Nigerian Tax Act of 2025 introduces significant changes to how taxes are calculated for both individuals and businesses. This guide explains the tax brackets in simple, plain language so you can understand exactly how much tax you'll pay.
Individual Income Tax (Personal Income Tax)
If you're an individual earning income in Nigeria, here's how your taxes are calculated based on your annual income:
| Annual Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| First ₦800,000 | 0% (No tax) |
| Next ₦2,200,000 (₦800,001 to ₦3,000,000) | 15% |
| Next ₦9,000,000 (₦3,000,001 to ₦12,000,000) | 18% |
| Next ₦13,000,000 (₦12,000,001 to ₦25,000,000) | 21% |
| Next ₦25,000,000 (₦25,000,001 to ₦50,000,000) | 23% |
| Above ₦50,000,000 | 25% |
Want to calculate your own tax? Try our free tax calculator to see how much you'll pay based on your income.
Need help filing? Learn how to file your individual tax return or file your business tax return step by step.
Example: If you earn ₦5,000,000 per year
Step 1: First ₦800,000 = ₦0 tax (0%)
Step 2: Next ₦2,200,000 = ₦330,000 tax (15% of ₦2,200,000)
Step 3: Remaining ₦2,000,000 = ₦360,000 tax (18% of ₦2,000,000)
Total Tax: ₦690,000
Take Home: ₦4,310,000
Example: If you earn ₦3,000,000 per year
Step 1: First ₦800,000 = ₦0 tax (0%)
Step 2: Next ₦2,200,000 = ₦330,000 tax (15% of ₦2,200,000)
Total Tax: ₦330,000
Take Home: ₦2,670,000
Important: If you earn ₦800,000 or less per year, you pay zero tax. This means you're completely exempt from personal income tax.
Business Tax (Corporate Income Tax)
If you own a business in Nigeria, the tax you pay depends on your company's size and annual turnover:
Small Companies
A company is considered "small" if it meets both of these conditions:
- Annual turnover of ₦100 million or less
- Total fixed assets of ₦250 million or less
Tax Rate for Small Companies: 0%
Small companies are completely exempt from:
- Corporate Income Tax (CIT)
- Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
- Development Levy
Other Companies
Companies that exceed the small company thresholds pay:
- Corporate Income Tax: 30% of assessable profits
- Development Levy: 4% of assessable profits
Total Tax Rate: 34% (30% + 4%)
Example: If your company makes ₦10,000,000 profit per year
Corporate Income Tax: 30% of ₦10,000,000 = ₦3,000,000
Development Levy: 4% of ₦10,000,000 = ₦400,000
Total Tax: ₦3,400,000
After Tax Profit: ₦6,600,000
Capital Gains Tax for Companies
When companies sell assets (like property or investments), they pay:
- Capital Gains Tax: 30% (increased from 10% in previous years)
This applies to the profit made from selling assets, not the total sale price.
Minimum Effective Tax Rate
Large companies must pay a minimum tax rate of 15% if they are:
- Part of a multinational enterprise (MNE) group with global revenues of €750 million or more
- Nigerian companies with annual turnover exceeding ₦50 billion
If a company's effective tax rate falls below 15%, they must pay additional tax to meet this minimum.
Key Points to Remember
- Individuals: The first ₦800,000 you earn is tax-free. After that, tax rates increase as your income increases.
- Small Businesses: If your turnover is ₦100 million or less and assets are ₦250 million or less, you pay zero tax.
- Larger Businesses: Pay 30% corporate income tax plus 4% development levy (total 34%).
- Capital Gains: Companies pay 30% tax on profits from selling assets.
When Did This Take Effect?
The Nigerian Tax Act of 2025 took effect on January 1, 2026.
Note: This is a simplified explanation of the tax brackets. For specific tax advice, please consult with a qualified tax professional or the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Need to Check Your Tax ID?
Use our free Nigerian Tax ID Checker to verify your tax identification number instantly.
Check Tax ID Now - Free