Professionals in Nigeria’s built environment sector have urged town planning consultants to take advantage of incentives contained in the new Nigerian Tax Act while strengthening record-keeping and compliance practices.
The call was made during the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Lagos branch of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON), where stakeholders examined the implications of recent tax reforms on professional practice.
Experts Highlight Tax Implications for Planning Consultants
Speaking at the event, professional accountant and tax administrator, Mrs. Olufunlola Adediran, advised practitioners to fully understand both the responsibilities and opportunities introduced by the new legal framework.
Delivering a presentation titled “The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025: The Impact on Town Planning Consultancy Services,” she explained that town planners operate within sectors directly influenced by tax regulations, including property development, infrastructure delivery, government contracts, and consultancy services.
According to her, areas affected include Value Added Tax (VAT), withholding tax, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Personal Income Tax, development levies, capital allowances, and stamp duties.
“We are advising town planners to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the new tax law, the obligations and the incentives,” she said.
Small Firms May Benefit from Tax Relief
Adediran noted that taxable services for town planning professionals include layout preparation, environmental impact assessments, urban renewal projects, zoning activities, regularisation processes, training programmes, and seminars.
She added that many small-scale planning firms could benefit significantly from provisions under the new law.
According to her, firms with annual turnover below N100 million may qualify for exemption from Companies Income Tax under Section 56 of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
She further noted that consultants involved in land documentation, property transactions, and government contracts could also benefit from certain stamp duty exemptions.
Experts Warn Against Poor Tax Practices
Adediran warned practitioners against mixing personal finances with business income, stating that proper financial separation improves compliance and may reduce tax burdens.
She also cautioned that failure to meet tax obligations under the new framework could trigger automatic penalties.
“The government is the sleeping partner of every business because taxes ultimately support public infrastructure and development,” she said.
ATOPCON Calls for Innovation and Continuous Learning
Chairman of ATOPCON Lagos branch, Bello Akinwale, said the session was designed to help members understand the impact of tax reforms on consultancy operations and avoid costly compliance mistakes.
He encouraged practitioners to embrace continuous learning to remain competitive.
Past President of ATOPCON and Chairman of the occasion, Waheed Kadiri, also stressed the need for stronger business sustainability models in the profession.
According to him, consultancy firms must adapt to changing economic realities through strategic planning, innovation, and stronger collaboration.
“We must embrace innovation, strengthen technical capacity, adopt emerging technologies, and build stronger collaboration among professionals,” Kadiri said.
