Nigeria: IMF comments on fiscal policy
On 4 March 2015 the IMF issued a press release on the conclusion of consultations with Nigeria under Article IV of the IMF’s articles of agreement. Nigeria’s economy has grown strongly over the past decade at an average of almost 7% per annum
See MoreNigeria: Stock exchange rules regarding related-party transactions
The Nigerian Stock Exchange has issued rules for lending transactions with related parties or interested persons to guard against the risk that interested persons could influence an issuer, its affiliates or associated companies. One provision is
See MoreNigeria: Tax-free treatment period for pioneer certificates has been reduced
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) has reduced the available tax-free treatment period from 5 years to 3 years on the basis of the “Pioneer Status Incentive” program. It appears however that the NIPC is still issuing pioneer
See MoreNigeria: Reduced withholding tax rate regarding construction activities
The withholding tax rate has reduced from 5% to 2.5% which is applicable to all aspects of building, construction, and related activities. But for survey, design, and deliveries this withholding tax rate remains 5%. This withholding tax rate effects
See MoreNigeria: Nonresident companies must file income tax return on real profits basis
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) in Nigeria has issued a notice demanding all nonresident companies with a permanent establishment (PE) or fixed base (FB) to file tax returns on real basis. The new directive will be applicable to tax
See MoreNigeria-Qatar Income Tax Treaty initials
An Income Tax Treaty between Nigeria and Qatar has initialed on 11th February 2015. Further details of this treaty will be reported
See MoreNigeria: Penalty and interest rates for unpaid tax has approved
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has released the accepted penalty and interest rates to be applied for the year 2015 on 2nd February 2015 regarding taxes not paid within the given periods. The 15% interest rate is determined while the
See MoreNigeria: Public notice of new filing rules for non-resident companies
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a public notice in accordance with section 55 of the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA) on 28th January 2015 requiring all resident and non-resident companies to file their tax returns on a real
See MoreNigeria: The Budget Proposal 2015 presents
The Coordinating Minister for Economy and Finance in Nigeria has presented the Budget proposal for the year 2015 to the National Assembly on 17th December 2014. The appropriation bill was talked in the second reading of the Senate on 15th January
See MoreNigeria: Reduction of taxes on transfer of property
The Lagos State Governor has issued Executive Order No. EO/BRF/001 of 2015 on 5th January 2015, which decreases taxes on transfer of property in Lagos. This order decreases the fees and charges payable for processing Governor's consent in respect of
See MoreNigeria: First audit cycle under new transfer pricing regulations starts
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Nigeria has built a Transfer Pricing Division on November 2013 that is accountable for the execution and administration of the Income Tax Transfer Pricing Regulations No.1 2012 (TP Regulations). This
See MoreNigeria: Tax withheld on dividends from gas operations
A decision of a case entitled “Nigeria Agrip Co. Ltd v. Federal Inland Revenue Service (10th December 2014)” has been issued by the Tax Appeal Tribunal and it states that dividends paid by a gas exploration and production company and paid out of
See MoreNigeria: Underpayment notices regarding interest, penalty assessments
The Tax Appeal Tribunal in Nigeria has issued a decision in a case regarding a taxpayer’s underpayment of company’s income tax, and the tribunal thought that interest and penalties on the underpayment are triggered and start to run when the
See MoreNigeria: Non-resident companies has made deduction of recharges
The Court of Appeal has set a decision about a case entitled Federal Board of Inland Revenue v. Halliburton (WA) Limited (CA/L/320/2009) on 2nd December 2014 for determining whether by requiring Halliburton WA to pay tax on the amounts received
See MoreNigeria: VAT free services for stock exchange commissions
According to a current order in Nigeria, stock exchange commissions are free from value added tax (VAT). The order was publicly presented on 27 October 2014. Besides, the effective date of the VAT exemption is 25 July 2014 and it is effective for a
See MoreNigeria: Tax Authority imposes interest on unpaid taxes
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued a public notice entitled “Administration of penalty and interest rate regimes under the Companies Income Tax (CIT) Act, CAPS C21, LFN 2004” and FIRS imposes 10% and 15% penalty and interest
See MoreNigeria: Notice for taxation of investment income gained by pioneer companies
The Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) in Nigeria has issued a clarification notice regarding the taxation of investment income in the nature of dividends, interest, royalties, and rent earned by pioneer companies is subject to 10% withholding
See MoreNigeria: Preparing for transfer pricing audit
A transfer pricing declaration and disclosure form will be the first returns filed in compliance with Nigeria’s transfer pricing regulations if returns of taxpayers having a December 2014 accounting year-end. By filing these returns, Nigeria’s
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