Edo IRS warns taxpayers to file returns before March 31

Business, Cityscope

BENIN CITY, NIGERIA (News Agency) — March 23, 2026 — The Edo Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has urged taxpayers to file their annual returns before March 31 or face penalties.

In a statement issued Sunday in Benin, Executive Chairman John Odior described tax filing as a compulsory legal obligation for eligible residents. “Filing your tax returns is a non-optional, statutory, legal and civic obligation,” he said.

Odior explained that the directive applies to employees, business owners, professionals, online traders, and those in the informal sector. He noted that the agency has introduced an electronic filing system to simplify the process. “With the e-filing platform, taxpayers can complete their obligations from the comfort of their homes or offices,” he added.

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The requirement, he said, is backed by Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025. Odior warned that defaulters would face sanctions. “Failure to comply, refusal to file, or submission of incomplete or inaccurate information will attract administrative penalties,” he stated.

According to him, tax payment is vital to development. “Tax filing is not just a legal requirement; it contributes to Edo’s growth and development,” he emphasised.

The service advised taxpayers to use its official portal and seek assistance from its offices where necessary.