By Momodu Favour

The Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has announced a one-month extension for the filing of individual annual income tax returns, moving the deadline from March 31 to April 30, 2026.

The extension, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Acting Executive Chairman of the agency, Michael Ango, is aimed at giving taxpayers in the Federal Capital Territory more time to submit accurate returns while boosting voluntary compliance.

Ango noted that although March 31 remains the statutory deadline for annual filings, the decision to extend the date reflects the agency’s commitment to easing compliance and enhancing efficiency in tax administration.

He emphasised that voluntary tax compliance is a civic responsibility and a critical contribution to national development, urging residents to take advantage of the extended window to fulfill their obligations promptly.

The FCT-IRS boss reiterated that all filings must be done electronically through the agency’s official tax portal, as part of ongoing efforts to modernise and strengthen its digital tax system.

He encouraged taxpayers to ensure that their personal information including National Identification Number (NIN), phone numbers, and residential addresses is correctly entered during registration to prevent delays in processing.

Taxpayers who require assistance were advised to visit any FCT-IRS office or contact the agency through its official support channels.

The development comes shortly after the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) similarly extended its filing deadline for individual tax returns to April 14, highlighting a broader push by tax authorities across Nigeria to improve compliance and ease the filing process for taxpayers.