The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has confirmed that the new tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu will take effect from January 1, 2026. He said this during a press briefing on Thursday, following the president’s signing of the bills at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
New Tax Laws Take Effect 2026, Says FIRS
Speaking to journalists, Adedeji said the delay gives the government six months to prepare the public. “We now have six full months for sensitisation and planning. This allows all stakeholders and operators to align before we begin,” he said.
He noted that the law will work better if it starts at the beginning of the year. “It’s not something to enforce in the middle of the fiscal year,” he added. “By the special grace of God, the effective date is 1st of January, 2026.”
Tinubu Signs Four New Tax Bills
President Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law. These include:
- The Nigeria Tax Bill
- The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill
- The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill
- The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill
The signing event was attended by the leadership of the National Assembly, state governors, top government officials, and members of the president’s cabinet. The Presidency says the new laws will transform tax collection, improve government revenue, and attract foreign investment.
New Tax Laws Take Effect 2026, But Concerns Remain
Despite the smooth ceremony and Adedeji’s optimism, many stakeholders still have unanswered questions. Several governors had raised alarms earlier, warning that the new tax regime might cripple state budgets. One fear is that some states may struggle to pay salaries when the new rules kick in.
The government insists consultations were made. But consultation doesn’t always equal consensus. So far, the federal side looks happy. The states? Not quite.
New Tax Laws Take Effect 2026, But Will States Cope?
New tax laws take effect 2026, but what happens after that? The FIRS is optimistic. The president has played his part. But the real test will come next year when state governments begin to feel the weight of the new system.
Will the reforms boost revenue, or widen the gap between Abuja and the states? Six months isn’t a long time to prepare for a tax shake-up this big.
