The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has given two months window of opportunity to business owners in the state as it extends the deadline for the filing of annual returns to 31st of May.

The service made this known in notification message on its website. It said the filing of returns which should statutorily take place on or before 31st of March of every fiscal year has now been shifted to 31st of May.

The Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service Mr. Ayodele Subair, said the development became imperative due to the coronavirus pandemic which has seriouly hindered business activities around the world, noting that the extension of deadline is a way of creating a buffer for business owners so as to cushion the effect of the scourge on them

He note that the extension of deadline of the Annual Returns is in response to appeals made by taxpayers as well as a policy shift by the agency to assuage the effect of COVID-19 on the taxpayers and residents of Lagos State.

“In view of the coronavirus pandemic altering socio-economic activities around the world and as part of the on-going efforts to mitigate the effect on businesses and taxpayers, the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of Annual Returns for Individual taxpayers including self-employed persons for two (2) months from April 1 to May 31, 2020.

“Statutorily, the filing of annual returns expires on the March 31st of every fiscal year, and attracts stiff penalties for defaulters. With this extension as announced by LIRS, taxpayers are given a breather.

“We implore the taxpayers to access our eTax platform for all tax operations and administration matters, including filing of annual returns from the comfort of their homes and offices. They can do this, by simply logging on to the eTax platform via https://etax.lirs.net or calling our Customer Care Centre on 0700 CALL LIRS (070022555477)’’ he concluded.

While further updates on business operations and alternative payment platforms of the service can be obtained by visiting the LIRS website, (www.lirs.gov.ng), and its various social media handles, the management and staff of LIRS appeal to the residents of Lagos State to support the efforts of the Lagos State Government ably led by Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu by adhering strictly to the COVID-19 safety guidelines as issued by relevant health authorities