VAT and WHT affect how Nigerian businesses invoice their clients, but they work differently. VAT is added to your invoice at 7.5% if your business is required to charge it, while WHT is deducted by the client from your payment and remitted to the tax authority on your behalf.
Knowing how both taxes work helps you understand what to include on your invoices, how much to charge, and what to expect when a client pays. This guide explains the current VAT and WHT rules in Nigeria, with practical invoice examples to show how the calculations work.
Panoramica del sistema fiscale nigeriano per le imprese
Principali autorità fiscali
Il sistema fiscale nigeriano opera attraverso diverse autorità che sovrintendono a diverse tipologie di imposte e a diverse categorie di contribuenti.
- Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS): Supervisiona l'IVA, l'imposta sul reddito delle società, la ritenuta alla fonte e le imposte per le persone giuridiche.
- Servizi fiscali statali (SIRS): Handles Personal Income Tax for individuals and sole proprietors
- Joint Revenue Board (JRB): Funge da organismo che unifica l'amministrazione fiscale statale attraverso le sue attività di coordinamento.
Quali sono le principali imposte che incidono sulla fatturazione?
Diverse tasse incidono direttamente come vengono emesse le fatture emesso in Nigeria:
- Imposta sul valore aggiunto (IVA): L'imposta si applica a ogni fornitura che comprende beni e servizi tassabili.
- Ritenuta d'acconto (WHT): Le imposte vengono detratte da determinate transazioni tramite ritenute dirette alla fonte.
- Imposta sul reddito delle società (CIT): Le aziende devono pagare questa imposta in base ai loro profitti, che devono dimostrare tramite la documentazione di fatturazione.
- Imposta sul reddito delle persone fisiche (IRP): Questa imposta si applica sia ai liberi professionisti che ai titolari di ditte individuali.
Requisiti di identificazione fiscale
Per emettere fatture conformi alle normative fiscali, le aziende potrebbero aver bisogno di:
- Codice di identificazione fiscale (TIN): Questo è obbligatorio per tutti i soggetti passivi d'imposta.
- Partita IVA: Obbligatorio per le aziende che hanno ottenuto la registrazione IVA.
Both numbers must be displayed on the invoices according to the requirements. The NRS issues TINs and VAT numbers, which taxpayers must use for their tax filings, remittances, and audits.
Perché la conformità è importante
Le fatture non conformi possono comportare:
- Corporate clients rejecting the submitted invoices
- VAT claims being denied
- The NRS imposes penalties and interest
- Una probabilità molto più alta di un controllo
Una fatturazione corretta tutela sia la tua attività che i tuoi clienti.
What Is VAT and Who Charges It?
VAT is a 7.5% tax on taxable goods and services in Nigeria. Businesses required to charge VAT add it to their prices and show it separately on invoices. The rate remains 7.5% under the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, which took effect on 1 January 2026.
Who Must Register for VAT?
The Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 defines a small business as one with annual gross turnover of ₦100 million or less and total fixed assets below ₦250 million. Businesses providing professional services are excluded from this classification.
Qualifying small businesses are exempt from charging VAT. However, they can choose to opt out of the exemption by notifying the Nigeria Revenue Service and registering to charge VAT.
Esenzioni IVA
Some goods and services are exempt from VAT, while others are taxable at 0%. These categories are not the same, so check how a supply is classified before adding VAT to an invoice.
Examples of supplies that may fall under these categories include:
- Prodotti alimentari di base
- Prodotti medici e farmaceutici
- Educational books and materials
- Medical services
- Tuition fees
- Qualifying exported goods and services
Exempt supplies and zero-rated supplies also have different rules for claiming input VAT. If you are unsure which category applies to what you sell, confirm with a tax professional before issuing the invoice.
What Are the VAT Requirements on Nigerian Invoices?
If your business is required to charge VAT, show it as a separate line on the invoice. Include:
- Your business name and address
- Your VAT registration details, where applicable
- The invoice date and a unique invoice number
- A description of the goods or services supplied
- The amount before VAT
- The VAT amount charged
- The total amount payable, including VAT
How Do You Calculate VAT in Nigeria?
Calculate VAT by multiplying the taxable amount by 7.5%. For example, if a service costs ₦200,000, the VAT is ₦15,000. The total invoice amount is therefore ₦215,000. You can use this formula when calculating VAT on an invoice
What Is WHT and Who Deducts It?
Spesso, a causa di un equivoco comune, si pensa erroneamente che la ritenuta d'acconto funzioni allo stesso modo dell'IVA.
Che cos'è la ritenuta d'acconto?
Withholding Tax (WHT) is an advance payment of income tax deducted from certain payments to suppliers. Instead of paying the full amount to you, the client deducts the applicable percentage and remits it to the relevant tax authority on your behalf.
WHT is not an extra charge you add to your invoice. It is deducted from the amount the client owes you. In most cases, you can use the deduction as a credit against your income tax.
Chi effettua la ritenuta alla fonte?
- Il cliente o il pagatore detrae la ritenuta d'acconto.
- Il fornitore non addebita la ritenuta d'acconto.
- L'importo detratto riduce il pagamento finale dovuto al fornitore.
Certificati e crediti WHT
Il cliente deve creare una nota di credito WHT dopo aver dedotto la WHT, che serve come prova del pagamento delle imposte e consente al contribuente di ridurre gli obblighi fiscali futuri. L'impossibilità di ottenere certificati WHT comporta per i contribuenti subire una doppia tassazione.
Quali sono le aliquote WHT più comuni in Nigeria?
The applicable rate depends on the type of transaction and whether the supplier is a Nigerian resident. Under the Deduction of Tax at Source (Withholding) Regulations, 2024, common rates for resident suppliers include:
| Transaction | WHT rate |
|---|---|
| Professional, consultancy, technical and management fees | 5% |
| Commission | 5% |
| Other services not specifically listed | 2% |
| Supply of goods or materials by someone other than the manufacturer or producer | 2% |
| Construction of roads, bridges, buildings and power plants | 2% |
| Other construction and related activities | 5% |
Queste aliquote variano a seconda del tipo di transazione e dello status del contribuente.
Come si calcola la ritenuta d'acconto in Nigeria?
La ritenuta alla fonte (WHT) viene calcolata come percentuale dell'importo fatturato, IVA esclusa, e viene detratta prima dell'emissione del pagamento.
Can Small Companies Be Exempt from Deducting WHT?
The 2024 regulations provide an exemption from the obligation to deduct WHT for qualifying small companies, provided the supplier has a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN) and the transaction value does not exceed ₦2 million during the relevant calendar month.
This exemption concerns the client’s responsibility to deduct WHT. It does not automatically exempt the supplier from other tax obligations. Because the regulations refer to an earlier definition of a small company, confirm eligibility with a tax professional before relying on the exemption.
What Happens When a Client Deducts WHT?
When a client deducts WHT from your payment, request the receipt showing the amount withheld and the relevant transaction details. The receipt serves as evidence of the deduction when you claim the amount as a tax credit.
Keep it with your invoice and payment records. If the client deducts WHT but does not provide the receipt, follow up and request it.
Imposta sul reddito delle società (CIT) e fatturazione
Che relazione intercorre tra CIT e fatture?
Le fatture costituiscono la principale prova di reddito per il calcolo dell'imposta sul reddito delle società. L'Agenzia delle Entrate statunitense (FIRS) utilizza le fatture per calcolare quanto segue:
- Fatturato
- Riconoscimento dei ricavi
- Richieste di rimborso spese
Cosa devo conservare per la conformità CIT?
Le aziende devono conservare i seguenti documenti:
- Fatture emesse
- Conferme di pagamento
- Note di credito WHT
- dichiarazioni IVA
Worked Example: A ₦500,000 Services Invoice
Suppose a VAT-registered consultant charges a Nigerian company ₦500,000 for professional services. The service attracts 7.5% VAT, and the client must deduct 5% WHT.
First, calculate the VAT:
- Service fee: ₦500,000
- VAT at 7.5%: ₦37,500
- Total invoice: ₦537,500
Next, calculate WHT. The 5% deduction applies to the service fee before VAT, not the VAT-inclusive total.
- Service fee: ₦500,000
- WHT at 5%: ₦25,000
- Total invoice: ₦537,500
- Less WHT: ₦25,000
- Amount the client pays: ₦512,500
The client pays the consultant ₦512,500 and remits the ₦25,000 WHT to the relevant tax authority. The consultant is responsible for accounting for the ₦37,500 VAT collected.
| Invoice description | Quantità |
|---|---|
| Professional service fee | ₦500,000 |
| VAT (7.5%) | ₦37,500 |
| Invoice total | ₦537,500 |
| Less: WHT (5% of service fee) | (₦25,000) |
| Net amount payable | ₦512,500 |
The consultant should keep the WHT receipt or credit note as evidence of the deduction. The ₦25,000 can be claimed as a tax credit, subject to the applicable rules.
Worked Example: A Goods Invoice
Suppose a business supplies goods worth ₦800,000 to a company. If the goods are subject to VAT and the supplier is required to charge it, the invoice will show VAT separately.
Calculate the VAT:
- Cost of goods: ₦800,000
- VAT at 7.5%: ₦60,000
- Total invoice: ₦860,000
If the transaction also attracts 2% WHT, the client deducts ₦16,000 from the goods value.
| Invoice description | Quantità |
|---|---|
| Cost of goods | ₦800,000 |
| VAT (7.5%) | ₦60,000 |
| Invoice total | ₦860,000 |
| Less: WHT (2% of goods value) | (₦16,000) |
| Net amount payable | ₦844,000 |
The client pays the supplier ₦844,000 and remits the ₦16,000 WHT to the relevant tax authority. The supplier accounts for the VAT collected, subject to the applicable VAT rules.
However, not every sale of goods attracts WHT. The applicable regulations provide exemptions for certain transactions, including qualifying supplies by manufacturers or producers. Check whether the transaction is subject to WHT before including a deduction in your payment calculation.
How to Show VAT and WHT on the Invoice
When preparing an invoice that includes VAT and WHT, show the amount for each clearly. VAT is added to the taxable amount, while WHT is deducted by the client from the payment.
Under Section 153 of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, a VAT invoice must contain the following details:
- Nome e indirizzo dell'attività commerciale
- Il codice fiscale (TIN), nonché il numero di partita IVA, se applicabile.
- Un numero di fattura univoco
- La data della fattura
- Le informazioni del cliente
- Descrizione di beni o servizi
- L'importo netto
- L'importo dell'IVA, se applicabile
- L'importo totale dovuto
- Le condizioni di pagamento
The invoice should also show the VAT amount separately so the client can identify the tax charged. It must be issued when the supply is made, even if the client has not paid yet.
How Should You Display VAT and WHT?
For clarity, structure the invoice to show:
| Invoice detail | What to include |
|---|---|
| Supply amount | Cost of goods or services before VAT |
| I.V.A. | Applicable rate and VAT amount, shown separately |
| Invoice total | Supply amount plus VAT |
| WHT | A note that the client may deduct WHT where applicable |
| Net payment | Amount remaining after any applicable WHT deduction |
WHT should not be presented as an additional tax charge added to the invoice total. The client calculates and deducts it when making payment, then remits it to the relevant tax authority.
If the transaction is subject to WHT, you can include a short note explaining that the client should provide evidence of the deduction after remittance.
Invoicing software like Billing automatically applies your TIN, VAT number, and invoice numbering to every invoice you create, so you stay FIRS-compliant without having to check each invoice manually.
Keeping Records for the NRS
Keep copies of your invoices, receipts, payment records, and other documents that support your business transactions. Section 31 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025 requires businesses and other taxpayers to maintain records for at least six years after the relevant year of assessment.
The NRS is also introducing electronic invoicing in phases. Businesses with annual turnover below ₦1 billion are scheduled for stakeholder engagement from January to March 2027, a pilot rollout from April to June 2027, and go-live on 1 July 2027. Compliance enforcement is scheduled for January to March 2028, although the NRS may adjust these timelines.
Quali sono i requisiti per una fattura da freelance?
La fattura di ogni libero professionista dovrebbe includere quanto segue:
- Nome personale o aziendale
- Codice di identificazione fiscale (TIN)
- Descrizione dei servizi offerti
- Numero e data della fattura
- Nota sulla ritenuta alla fonte (ove applicabile)
- Istruzioni per il pagamento
L'IVA deve essere inclusa se il libero professionista è registrato ai fini IVA.
Domande frequenti
1. Who pays WHT in Nigeria: the client or the supplier?
The client deducts WHT from the payment owed to the supplier and remits it to the relevant tax authority. The supplier receives the balance and can claim the deduction as a tax credit.
2. What if my client deducts WHT but does not give me a receipt?
Ask your client for a WHT receipt or credit note as evidence of the deduction and remittance. You need this document to support your tax credit claim.
3. Is VAT charged on exports from Nigeria?
Qualifying exported goods and services attract VAT at 0% in Nigeria. This means VAT applies at a zero rate rather than the standard 7.5% rate.
4. Do freelancers charge VAT in Nigeria?
Freelancers who provide taxable goods or services may need to charge VAT if they are required to register. However, professional service providers do not qualify for the small-business VAT exemption.
5. What is the difference between VAT and WHT?
VAT is added to the price of taxable goods or services and collected by the supplier. WHT is deducted by the client from certain payments and remitted to the tax authority.
6. How much tax should I add to an invoice?
If your business is required to charge VAT, add 7.5% to the taxable amount and show it separately on the invoice. Do not add WHT as an extra charge because the client deducts it from your payment where applicable.
Considerazioni finali
Comprendere come le leggi fiscali nigeriane influenzano le fatture è fondamentale per un'attività conforme e sostenibile. IVA, ritenute alla fonte e imposte sul reddito incidono sul modo in cui si redigono e si utilizzano le fatture. In questo modo, si possono ottenere pagamenti più rapidi, meno controversie e una minore probabilità di controlli fiscali.
Use the Calcolatore delle imposte in Nigeria to estimate applicable taxes, and consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation.
