On 16 January 2026, the Nigeria Revenue Service clarified that VAT on banking services has always applied to fees, commissions and service charges, not to the money transferred. The NRS confirmed that the Nigeria Tax Act does not impose new tax obligations on bank customers and urged stakeholders to rely on official channels for accurate information.
VAT applies to transfer fees, USSD charges, card issuance fees, and account maintenance fees, but not to the money transferred.
No, the Act does not create new tax obligations; VAT on banking services has always existed.
The actual money transferred by customers is not subject to VAT.
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Streamline Feed · 5 days ago
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered Overland Airways to refund passengers who were incorrectly charged Value Added Tax (VAT) on flight tickets purchased before the Finance Act’s exemption took effect on 1 January 2026. The directive underscores the NCAA’s role in enforcing consumer protection and ensuring compliance with the new VAT exemption for commercial flight tickets. The order requires immediate action from the carrier to reimburse affected passengers.
NigeriaInfo · 18 days ago
Nigeria’s 2025 Tax Act removes VAT on land, completed buildings, and both residential and commercial rent, effective January 2026. The reform allows contractors to recover input VAT on construction materials and gives tenants rent relief up to ₦500,000, capped at 20 % of annual rent. Mortgage interest for owner‑occupied homes remains tax‑deductible.
The Nation · 19 days ago
Nigeria’s Tax Act 2025 has fully exempted land, buildings and rent from Value Added Tax, aiming to lower housing costs and stimulate real‑estate investment. The law also reduces construction withholding tax to 2 % and allows mortgage interest on owner‑occupied homes to be deducted. Additional reliefs include rent relief up to ₦500,000 and various tax incentives for small businesses and real‑estate investors.
BusinessDay · 23 days ago
Nigeria is tightening VAT and withholding tax compliance by moving from retrospective audits to real‑time reporting of business transactions. The shift, part of a broader fiscalisation strategy, will give tax authorities direct visibility into transactions as they occur, starting with large taxpayers. The e‑invoicing platform will enhance existing filing systems and encourage participation through engagement and simulation portals.
EY · about 12 hours ago
EY discusses the e-invoicing requirements for South Africa, outlining what CFOs and COOs should consider to comply with the new digital invoicing rules.
SABC News · about 14 hours ago
The Western Cape High Court declared Section 7 of South Africa's VAT Act unconstitutional, ruling that the Minister of Finance cannot unilaterally raise the VAT rate. The court imposed a 12‑month period before Parliament can confirm or reject any VAT rate adjustments, and the proposed 1% increase announced in the 2025 Budget Speech was withdrawn.
