Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 · s.72
Tax clearance certificate
Issued within two weeks of your asking, covering three years — and demanded for contracts, land and licences.
Who this lands on: Any business bidding for work or dealing with government or banks.
When the tax authority is satisfied the tax on your income has been paid, or that none is due, it issues a clearance certificate within two weeks of your demand — or gives reasons for refusing.
The certificate shows, for the last three years of assessment: total profits or chargeable income, tax payable, tax paid, and anything outstanding.
Ministries, agencies and commercial banks must demand three years of clearance for things like certificates of occupancy, building plan approvals, government contracts, and import or export licences.
Three clean years is the practical reason to keep filing even in a quiet year.