FIRS Kicks off Weekend Operations Nationwide to Boost Tax Compliance, Revenue Collection
In a bid to ease tax compliance and meet ambitious revenue targets, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced the extension of operational hours across its tax offices to include weekends throughout the month of June.
The move is targeted at accommodating the surge in tax filings, especially as the deadline for Companies Income Tax (CIT) returns draws closer.
According to a joint statement issued by the coordinating directors of the Large Taxpayers Group (LTG), Government & Medium Taxpayers Group (GMTG), and Emerging Taxpayers Group (ETG), all relevant FIRS offices across the country will now operate on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
This extended schedule will be in effect from June 14 to June 29, 2025.
The operational extension comes as the FIRS, under the leadership of Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji, intensifies efforts to improve voluntary compliance and boost tax collection efficiency.
The month of June is a critical window for tax filing in Nigeria, particularly for companies whose financial year ended on December 31, as they are statutorily required to file their tax returns by June 30.
“This initiative is in line with our customer-focused approach. We are making it easier for taxpayers to fulfill their obligations, especially during the busy filing season,” FIRS stated.
The tax agency is aiming to enhance accessibility for businesses and individuals who may be unable to visit tax offices during regular weekday hours due to work constraints.
The policy shift also underscores the agency’s urgency in achieving its ₦25.2 trillion revenue target for 2025—a significant increase from the ₦21.6 trillion realized in 2024.
The FIRS leadership has made it clear that the agency is adopting smarter strategies and expanding its service delivery to ensure this goal is met without resorting to coercive enforcement.
According to economic observers, broadening access and creating convenience for taxpayers could significantly boost compliance rates, especially among medium and emerging businesses often constrained by limited administrative bandwidth.
The weekend extension applies to all tax offices under the FIRS’s major operational divisions, including:
• Large Taxpayers Group (LTG)
• Government & Medium Taxpayers Group (GMTG)
• Emerging Taxpayers Group (ETG)
Officials in these groups have already communicated the directives internally and are expected to ensure full implementation across the nation.
The development has been welcomed by parts of the business community, with stakeholders describing it as a “progressive and practical move” that aligns with global best practices in tax administration.
Some taxpayers, however, have urged the FIRS to complement the physical office extension with improved digital support and user-friendly e-filing systems to reduce in-person congestion.
The FIRS, in recent months, has reiterated its focus on transforming itself from a mere revenue collector to a service-oriented institution, placing taxpayer experience and compliance support at the heart of its operations.
With the extended hours now in effect, the FIRS appears poised to deliver on both fronts: raising more revenue and enhancing Nigeria’s tax culture by making compliance more accessible and less burdensome.
