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Where and how to file your annual return

2 min read

Once you know you owe an annual return — whether as a PAYE employee or a freelancer/informal-sector earner — the next question is where to actually send it.

Most people file with their State IRS, not the NRS

Most people file with their State Internal Revenue Service (based on where you live, not where you work) — not the NRS. The NRS's own self-service portal is only for armed forces, police, Foreign Service staff, and non-residents.

Find your state's filing portal

TaxLane's in-app "Find where to file" panel has a direct portal link for 36 of Nigeria's 37 states and territories — for the rest, it links out to the Joint Tax Board (https://www.jtb.gov.ng/), the national body coordinating all State IRSs.

Every TaxLane calculator result includes a "Find where to file" panel with a state picker — select your state there for its direct portal link or contact.

Filed, but the tax authority mishandled it?

If your filing itself went fine but a tax official acted unfairly, dragged their feet, or overstepped their authority, that's a separate track from filing — see the Office of the Tax Ombud guide for the free, independent complaints channel that exists for exactly that.

Put this into practice

Work out what you owe before you file your return.

Frequently asked questions

Is this official tax advice?

No — for guidance only, not tax advice.