Calculates your annual PAYE (Personal Income Tax) and net salary in Nigeria for 2026, based on the new tax law, including reliefs for pension, NHF, and rent.
What is Stamp Duty in Nigeria?
Stamp duty is a tax levied on legal documents to make them admissible as evidence in court. In Nigeria, it is governed by the Stamp Duties Act (Cap S8, LFN 2004) as amended by subsequent Finance Acts. The duty is payable on documents like tenancy agreements and deeds of assignment. The amount depends on the document type, its value, and whether the parties are individuals or corporate entities.
How is Stamp Duty Calculated?
The calculation method differs by document:
- For Tenancy and Lease Agreements: Stamp duty is calculated based on the annual rent using a tiered rate schedule:
- 0.78% for annual rent up to and including ₦250,000.
- 3% for annual rent from ₦250,001 up to and including ₦500,000.
- 6% for annual rent from ₦500,001 up to and including ₦1,000,000.
- 7% for annual rent above ₦1,000,000.
- For Deeds of Assignment: Stamp duty is calculated at a flat rate of 1.5% of the property's purchase price or consideration.
A crucial rule is the minimum stamp duty. Regardless of the calculated percentage, the duty payable cannot be less than ₦50. The calculator automatically applies this minimum.
The collecting authority is also important. If both parties are individuals, the stamp duty is collected by the relevant State Government. However, if at least one party is a corporate entity, the duty is collected by the federal Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the stamp duty for a residential lease agreement in Lagos between two individuals with a high annual rent.
- Document Type: Tenancy/Lease Agreement
- Annual Rent: ₦1,200,000
- Applicable Rate Tier: Since the rent is above ₦1,000,000, the rate is 7%.
- Calculated Duty: 7% of ₦1,200,000 = ₦84,000
- Minimum Check: ₦84,000 is greater than ₦50, so it remains.
- Collecting Authority: Since both parties are individuals, the Lagos State Government collects this duty.
The total stamp duty payable is ₦84,000.
Common Scenarios and Important Notes
Short-Term or Low-Value Leases: For a room rented for ₦30,000 per year, the applicable rate is 0.78% (first tier). The calculated duty is 0.78% of ₦30,000 = ₦234. However, this is above the minimum of ₦50, so the payable duty is ₦234.
Corporate Leases: If a company rents an office, the duty calculation is the same, but it must be paid to the NRS, not the state government.
Deed of Assignment: For a property sold for ₦50,000,000, the duty is 1.5% of that price, resulting in ₦750,000.
It is essential to note that while the rates are national, administrative processes and potential additional fees can vary by state. Always verify with the local stamp duty office for the final procedure and amount. Ensure you provide the required input (Annual Rent or Property Price) based on your selected Document Type for the calculator to work correctly.
What Document Should You Prepare Next?
After determining your stamp duty liability, you should ensure your underlying legal document is properly drafted. For a residential lease, use a Residential Tenancy Agreement or Residential Lease Agreement. For transferring property ownership, a Deed of Assignment is the correct document. These templates provide a solid legal framework for your transaction. Once signed, the document must be stamped by paying the calculated duty at the appropriate authority to make it fully legally enforceable.