NRS releases guidelines on virtual assets taxation

The Nigeria Revenue Service has issued comprehensive guidelines on the taxation of virtual assets, providing a regulatory framework for the taxation of cryptocurrency and other digital asset transactions in line with the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.

The new guidelines are aimed at taxpayers, Virtual Asset Service Providers, Peer-to-Peer marketplace operators, tax practitioners and individuals engaged in virtual asset activities, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to expand the country’s tax base and strengthen compliance within the rapidly growing digital economy.

In a public notice issued on Monday, the NRS said it had formally released the Guidelines on the Taxation of Virtual Assets.

According to the agency, the document establishes a clear administrative framework governing tax obligations for virtual asset transactions in Nigeria.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) wishes to inform taxpayers, Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), Peer-to-Peer (P2P) marketplace operators, tax practitioners, and all persons engaged in virtual asset activities that it has issued the Guidelines on the Taxation of Virtual Assets.

“The Guidelines provide a clear administrative framework for the taxation of virtual assets in Nigeria. They set out the applicable tax obligations including registration, reporting and record-keeping obligations, valuation principles, and the tax treatment of virtual asset transactions in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025.”

The NRS said the initiative forms part of broader reforms designed to improve certainty in tax administration as digital assets become increasingly integrated into the country’s financial system.

“The issuance of these Guidelines is part of the Service’s commitment to providing clarity, certainty, and consistency in the administration of Nigeria’s tax laws as they relate to the rapidly evolving virtual asset ecosystem. The Guidelines are intended to promote voluntary compliance, enhance transparency, and support the development of a fair and efficient tax framework for digital asset transactions.”

The agency urged all affected stakeholders to study the new provisions and ensure full compliance with their tax obligations.

“All affected taxpayers and stakeholders are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Guidelines and ensure full compliance with the applicable tax obligations.”

It added that the guidelines are available for download on its official website.

The release of the guidelines marks another step in Nigeria’s evolving regulatory approach to digital assets. In recent years, Nigerian authorities have moved from largely restricting cryptocurrency-related activities to establishing clearer legal and tax frameworks for the sector.

The guidelines also follow the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, which introduced sweeping reforms to the country’s tax system, including provisions covering emerging sectors such as virtual assets.

The reforms are expected to improve tax administration, increase government revenue and provide greater regulatory certainty for businesses and investors operating in Nigeria’s digital economy.