Nigeria PAYE
Tax Calculator

Old PITA (2025) and new Nigeria Tax Act (2026) side-by-side. Real FIRS bands, exact numbers, net-to-gross reverse calc.

Includes AI Advisor NTA 2026 Updated FIRS Verified Net-to-Gross

Last verified: Mar 2026 · Source: NTA 2025, FIRS

Also see: Nigeria VAT Calculator · How to Calculate PAYE in Nigeria → · Nigeria Import Duty Guide →

Which tax system applies to me?

PITA (old): Use for 2025 tax year or if your employer hasn’t switched yet. CRA (Consolidated Relief Allowance) reduces your taxable income. NTA 2026 (new): The Nigeria Tax Act took effect 1 Jan 2026. CRA is abolished, replaced by an ₦800K tax-free threshold and Rent Relief. If you’re unsure, calculate both and compare — the tabs below let you switch instantly.

NTA 2026 selected: CRA abolished. ₦800,000 tax-free threshold. Rent Relief replaces CRA. Pension on Basic+Housing+Transport only.

Last updated: March 2026

Enter Your Details Nigerian Naira · ₦
₦3,600,000
Before any deductions

Deductions Select all that apply
Employer-dependent
%

Default: 5% of basic salary. Some employers use different rates (1.75% to 10%).

Max ₦500,000/yr

Owner-occupied residential property only. Max ₦500,000 deductible under NTA.

Basic + Housing + Transport

NTA 2026: pension (8%) applies only to Basic + Housing + Transport, not total gross.

For Rent Relief

Relief = lower of 20% of rent or ₦500,000. Leave blank if you own your home.

Monthly Take-Home Pay
₦0
After all deductions & tax
Effective Rate
0%
Tax / Gross
Marginal Rate
0%
Rate on next ₦1
Effective Tax Rate 0%
Detailed Band-by-Band Breakdown

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Employer Cost Breakdown Total cost to company

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Understanding Nigeria Tax

How PAYE Works Under NTA 2026

Everything you need to know about Nigeria's new tax system — from the ₦800K threshold to rent relief.

What changed?

The Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) replaced PITA effective January 1, 2026. The biggest change: CRA is abolished. In its place, everyone gets an ₦800,000 tax-free threshold — meaning if you earn below ₦800K/year, you pay zero income tax.

Rent Relief

Replaces CRA as the primary non-pension deduction. Calculated as the lower of 20% of rent actually paid or ₦500,000/year. If you own your home and don't pay rent, you cannot claim this relief.

Pension & NHF

Employee pension stays at 8%, but now applies only to Basic + Housing + Transport (pensionable emoluments), not total gross. Employers contribute 10%. NHF is 2.5% of basic salary and remains tax-deductible.

NTA 2026 vs PITA 2025 Tax Bands

NTA 2026 Band Rate PITA 2025 Band Rate
0 – 800K0%First 300K7%
800K – 3M15%Next 300K11%
3M – 12M18%Next 500K15%
12M – 25M21%Next 500K19%
25M – 50M23%Next 1.6M21%
Above 50M25%Above 3.2M24%

Key numbers at a glance

₦800K Tax-free threshold
25% Top NTA rate
8% Employee pension
₦500K Max rent relief
Nigeria Tax FAQ

Common PAYE Questions

What are the new PAYE tax bands for 2026?

Under NTA 2026: 0% on first ₦800,000; 15% on ₦800,001–₦3M; 18% on ₦3M–₦12M; 21% on ₦12M–₦25M; 23% on ₦25M–₦50M; 25% above ₦50M.

What happened to CRA under the new tax law?

CRA is abolished under NTA 2026. Replaced by Rent Relief — the lower of 20% of annual rent paid or ₦500,000. If you own your home, you cannot claim Rent Relief.

When does the Nigeria Tax Act take effect?

Signed June 26 2025. Takes effect January 1 2026. Your 2025 payslip still uses PITA with CRA. Select “Old System — PITA” above for 2025 calculations.

How is pension calculated under NTA 2026?

Under NTA 2026, employee pension (8%) applies only to Basic Salary + Housing + Transport — not total gross. Enter your pensionable emoluments separately.

Can I do a net-to-gross calculation?

Yes. Switch to “Net → Gross” mode at the top of the input card. Enter your desired take-home pay and we'll compute the gross salary needed under either PITA or NTA.

What is the employer cost for hiring in Nigeria?

Employers pay 10% pension contribution plus optional NHF (2.5%) and NHIS (varies). Our employer cost section below the results shows total cost to company including all employer obligations.

What is the effective vs marginal tax rate?

Effective rate = total tax paid / gross income. Marginal rate = the tax rate on your next naira earned. A higher earner has a higher marginal rate but may have a moderate effective rate due to progressive bands.

Is there a minimum tax in Nigeria?

Under PITA, minimum tax is 1% of gross income when calculated PAYE is less. Under NTA 2026, the ₦800,000 tax-free threshold replaces the minimum tax concept for individuals.

What is CRA under PITA?

Consolidated Relief Allowance = 20% of gross income plus the higher of ₦200,000 or 1% of gross income. Deducted before applying the six graduated bands (7%–24%). Abolished under NTA 2026.

Is NHF mandatory?

The National Housing Fund requires employees earning ₦3,000+ per year to contribute 2.5% of basic salary. Contributions are tax-deductible. Enforcement varies by employer, but it’s technically mandatory under the NHF Act.

Nigeria PAYE Cluster

Turn tax guidance into an exact take-home number

Quick answer

Nigeria take-home pay depends on the tax regime, pension treatment, statutory deductions, and how your employer structures pay. Reading the rules helps; using the calculator shows the actual number.

Why is my effective tax rate lower than the top bracket?
Progressive systems tax slices of income at different rates, so your blended rate is usually below the top marginal rate.
What should I check if my payslip looks wrong?
Check the salary basis, pensionable pay, statutory deductions, and the tax regime your employer is using.