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Stamp duty on tenancy agreements and business documents

3 min read

Stamp duty applies to a wide range of everyday agreements, not just property transactions — including the tenancy agreement most renters and landlords sign every year.

Tenancy agreements and most other documents

Yes, in most cases. Under NTA 2025 §124 and the Ninth Schedule, a tenancy/lease agreement attracts 0.78% ad valorem duty (exempt if the annual value is under ₦10,000,000.00), property conveyances, share capital, loan capital, and marketable-securities transfers each carry their own ad valorem rate, and most other agreements carry a flat ₦1,000.00 residual duty. Instruments must be stamped within 30 days of execution under §126. Confirm whether to pay the Nigeria Revenue Service or your State IRS — NTA 2025 and NTAA 2025 both preserve stamp-duty administration powers, and the split isn't fully resolved.

Other instrument types

Property conveyances carry a higher 1.5% rate (exempt at or below ₦10,000,000.00), share capital, loan capital, and marketable-securities transfers each carry their own lower ad valorem rate, and electronic transfers of ₦10,000.00 or more carry a fixed ₦50.00 duty.

Put this into practice

Calculate stamp duty on a real tenancy agreement or other instrument.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay stamp duty on a tenancy agreement or business document?

Yes, in most cases. Under NTA 2025 §124 and the Ninth Schedule, a tenancy/lease agreement attracts 0.78% ad valorem duty (exempt if the annual value is under ₦10,000,000.00), property conveyances, share capital, loan capital, and marketable-securities transfers each carry their own ad valorem rate, and most other agreements carry a flat ₦1,000.00 residual duty. Instruments must be stamped within 30 days of execution under §126. Confirm whether to pay the Nigeria Revenue Service or your State IRS — NTA 2025 and NTAA 2025 both preserve stamp-duty administration powers, and the split isn't fully resolved.

Is this official tax advice?

No — for guidance only, not tax advice.