The Top Tax Mistakes Nigerian Businesses Make and How to Avoid Them

1. Failure to Register for Taxes: Many businesses neglect to register for the appropriate taxes, such as Company Income Tax (CIT), Value Added Tax (VAT), or Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) for employees.

How to Avoid:

• Register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) or the relevant State Internal Revenue Service (SIRS) upon incorporation.
• Obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) as a first step to compliance.

2. Incorrect Filing or Late Submission of Returns: Missing deadlines or submitting incorrect tax returns can lead to penalties and interest charges.

How to Avoid:

• Keep a calendar of tax deadlines (e.g., monthly VAT returns, annual CIT returns).
• Use professional tax consultants or accounting software to ensure accurate and timely filing.

3. Improper Documentation: Businesses often fail to maintain adequate records of financial transactions, leading to errors in tax calculations. Also, the tax authority may disallow expenses for which there are no document to substantiate as well as capital allowances or tax credits.

How to Avoid:

• Keep detailed and accurate records of income, expenses, assets and payroll.
• Use accounting software to automate record-keeping and organize receipts and invoices.

4. Failure to Deduct and Remit Withholding Tax (WHT): Nigerian tax laws mandate businesses to deduct WHT on certain transactions like contracts, consultancy, or rent but some businesses overlook this obligation.

How to Avoid:

• Understand WHT requirements and applicable rates for various transactions.
• Deduct and remit WHT to the FIRS or SIRS within the stipulated timeframe to avoid penalties.

5. Non-Remittance of VAT: Collecting VAT from customers but failing to remit it to the FIRS is a common issue.

How to Avoid:

• Ensure VAT is included in invoices and accounted for.
• Separate VAT collections from regular revenue to facilitate accurate remittance.

6. Misclassification of Expenses: Misclassifying expenses can lead to incorrect deductions or underpayment of taxes.

How to Avoid:

• Understand which expenses are tax-deductible under Nigerian tax laws.
• Engage a tax professional to review and classify expenses correctly.

7. Overlooking Tax Exemptions and Incentives: Many businesses are unaware of tax incentives available to them, such as pioneer status, agricultural incentives, or small business reliefs.

How to Avoid:

• Research applicable tax incentives from FIRS or SIRS.
• Consult with tax advisors to identify and leverage eligible exemptions.

8. Neglecting PAYE and Pension Obligations: Not properly deducting or remitting PAYE taxes for employees or contributing to pensions as mandated by law can lead to fines and penalties.

How to Avoid:

• Ensure accurate calculation of employee taxes and pensions.
• Regularly remit PAYE and pension contributions to the appropriate authorities.

9. Relying on Informal Tax Practices: Engaging in informal arrangements or relying on unqualified tax agents can result in inaccurate filings and potential audits.

How to Avoid:

• Work with certified tax professionals or consultants.
• Verify tax payments and filings directly with FIRS/SIRS systems.

10. Ignoring Tax Audits or Queries: Some businesses ignore tax audit notifications or fail to respond to tax authority queries, thereby escalating their issues.

How to Avoid:

• Promptly address tax authority correspondence.
• Prepare for audits by keeping well-organized financial records and seeking professional guidance.

In conclusion to avoid these common tax mistakes, Nigerian businesses must prioritize timely tax registration, accurate reporting, and proper documentation. Regularly consulting with tax professionals and staying informed about changes in tax laws can also help businesses remain compliant and avoid costly errors.