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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially discontinued the issuance of tax exemption certificates across all taxpayer categories, including pioneer status companies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and businesses operating within Nigeria’s free trade zones.
In a public notice issued by the agency, FIRS said the move is part of broader efforts to enhance transparency, close loopholes, and enforce strict adherence to the nation’s tax laws.
“The issuance of Tax Exemption Certificates has been discontinued. Consequently, no further Tax Exemption Certificates will be issued,” the notice stated.
While existing exemption certificates remain valid until their respective expiration dates, the agency clarified that no renewals will be granted once those certificates expire. It further emphasized that all future claims for tax benefits or exemptions must comply with existing legal provisions and follow formal procedures approved by the FIRS.
The agency also issued a stern warning against forgery, alteration, or misrepresentation of exemption status, noting that such actions will attract severe legal penalties.
Reaffirming its commitment to a fair and transparent tax system, the FIRS called on all stakeholders affected by the policy change to align with the revised regulatory framework and fulfill their statutory obligations.
“All further enquiries on the above subject should be addressed to the Executive Chairman,” the notice concluded.
The announcement comes on the heels of recent remarks by FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, who on July 22 highlighted that Nigeria loses billions of naira annually due to aggressive tax avoidance practices, particularly by multinational corporations. According to him, these practices erode trust in governance, undermine public infrastructure and services, and deepen inequality.
The tax exemption policy was originally introduced to encourage investment in strategic sectors, particularly export-oriented businesses and ventures requiring long gestation periods. However, the FIRS is expected to undertake a comprehensive review and reform of the policy to address the inefficiencies and misuse observed over the years.
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