LIRS Pushes Deadline to April 21 to Accommodate Surge in Filers

By Love Oyedokun

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has officially extended the deadline for the filing of individual annual income tax returns. Originally scheduled for April 14, 2026, the new cutoff date is now April 21, 2026 .

Cablenews24 reports that the agency issued a statement on Friday explaining that the decision was prompted by an unprecedented surge in activity on its digital filing infrastructure. As taxpayers rushed to meet the initial deadline, the resulting high volume of traffic necessitated a temporary adjustment to ensure system stability and user accessibility.

According to LIRS, the decision serves two primary purposes:

• Operational Efficiency: To mitigate potential technical bottlenecks caused by the high volume of users accessing the portal simultaneously.
• Compliance Support: To provide taxpayers with sufficient time to organize their financial documentation and complete the submission process accurately.

The LIRS leadership, led by Executive Chairman Ayodele Subair, commended the residents of Lagos for their increasing commitment to tax compliance. However, the agency reinforced that the extension is not an invitation to delay, but rather an opportunity for those still processing their documents to fulfill their statutory obligations.

The LIRS has issued the following directives to ensure a seamless filing experience:

1. Exclusive Channel: All taxpayers must file their returns strictly through the official eTax portal . Submissions attempted through unauthorized third-party sites or physical paper filings (where not specified) may not be recognized.
2. Support Services: For individuals encountering technical difficulties or requiring clarification regarding their tax status, the agency encourages direct engagement. Taxpayers can visit any local LIRS tax office or contact the agency via their verified social media and customer support channels.
3. Prompt Action: While the deadline has been moved by seven days, the agency urges residents to complete their filings as early as possible to avoid a repeat of the technical congestion experienced during the final hours of the previous deadline.

The LIRS maintains that the timely payment and filing of taxes are essential for the continued development of infrastructure and public services across Lagos State.