This is a compilation of 50 tax exemptions and reliefs as Nigeria's new tax regimes take effect on 1 January 2026.
From 1 January 2026, the new tax laws will provide many reliefs and exemptions for low-income earners, average taxpayers, and small businesses including:
1. Individuals earning the national minimum wage or less (exempt)
2. Annual gross income up to ₦1,200,000 (translating to about ₦800,000 taxable income) is exempt
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3. Reduced PAYE tax for those earning annual gross income up to ₦20 million
4. Gifts (exempt)
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5. Pension contribution to PFA
6. National Health Insurance Scheme
7. National Housing Fund contributions
8. Interest on loans for owner-occupied residential housing
9. Life insurance or annuity premiums
10. Rent relief - 20% of annual rent (up to ₦500,000)
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11. Pension funds and assets under the Pension Reform Act (PRA) are tax-exempt.
12. Pension, gratuity or any retirement benefits granted in line with the PRA
13. Compensation for loss of employment up to ₦50 million
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14. Sale of an owner-occupied house
15. Personal effects or chattels worth up to ₦5 million
16. Sale of up to two private vehicles per year
17. Gains on shares below ₦150 million per year or gains up to ₦10 million
18. Gains on shares above exemption threshold if the proceed is reinvested
19. Pension funds, charities, and religious institutions (non-commercial)
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20. Small companies (turnover not more than ₦100 million and total fixed assets not more than ₦250 million) pay 0% tax
21. Eligible (labelled) startups are exempt
22. Compensation relief - 50% additional deduction for salary increases, wage awards, or transport subsidies for low-income workers
23. Employment relief - 50% deduction for salaries of new employees hired and retained for at least three years
24. Tax holiday for the first 5-years for agricultural businesses (crop production, livestock, dairy etc)
25. Gains from investment in a labeled startup by venture capitalist, private equity fund, accelerators or incubators
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26. Small companies are exempt from 4% development levy
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27. Small companies, manufacturers and agric businesses are exempt from withholding tax deduction on their income
28. Small companies are exempt from deduction on their payments to suppliers
() - 0%
29. Basic food items - 0% VAT
30. Rent - Exempt
31. Education services and materials - 0% VAT
32. Health and medical services
33. Pharmaceutical products - 0% VAT
34. Small companies (≤ ₦100m turnover) are exempt from charging VAT
35. Diesel, petrol, and solar power equipment - VAT suspended or exempt
36. Refund of VAT on assets and overheads to produce VATable or 0% VAT goods and services
37. Agricultural inputs - fertilizers, seeds, seedlings, feeds, and live animals
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38. Purchase, lease or hire of equipment for agric purposes
39. Disability aids - hearing aids, wheelchairs, braille materials
40. Transport - shared passenger road transport (non-charter)
41. Electric vehicles and parts - exempt
42. Humanitarian supplies - exempt
43. Baby products
44. Sanitary towels, pads or tampons
45. Land and building
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46. Electronic money transfers below ₦10,000
47. Salary payments
48. Intra-bank transfers
49. Transfers of government securities or shares
50. All documents for transfer of stocks and shares
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