BREAKING NEWS: FG To Start Deducting Taxes Directly From Bank Accounts of Nigerians With ‘Unexplained Income’ From 2026

In a major policy shift that is already stirring nationwide debate, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that the Federal Government will begin automatic tax deductions directly from the bank accounts of Nigerians who receive income they cannot explain—starting 2026.

Oyedele revealed that the government is rolling out a modern, technology-driven tax system capable of monitoring citizens’ earnings and identifying individuals who fall within the taxable bracket but have failed to pay or have been underpaying.

According to him, the era of relying on “patriotic self-declaration” is over.

“Your primary responsibility is to declare your income. The government will use the fiscal system to validate it,” he said.

“If the system discovers that you’ve not paid your required taxes and you cannot justify your income, the government can debit your bank account after giving you a chance to explain yourself.”

Under the new arrangement, an individual with a ₦1 million tax liability will have the amount automatically withdrawn after due process — marking a shift towards what Oyedele calls professional tax collection without crude enforcement methods.

Religious Workers Not Exempt

Oyedele also cleared the air regarding individuals working under religious bodies such as churches and mosques.

He stated that:

Pastors, imams, and church/mosque staff will pay tax on their salaries..

“Tax laws are neutral. Whether you are a pastor, imam, or atheist, once your income crosses the threshold, you must pay tax,” he emphasized.

What Nigerians Should Expect

Lower-income earners will pay little to no tax.

Higher-income earners and those with irregular or unexplained inflows will face stricter scrutiny.

The new system aims to close tax loopholes and expand national revenue without physical enforcement.

As the 2026 rollout draws closer, many Nigerians are expressing concern, while others hail it as a necessary step to modernize the nation’s tax structure.