A mid-sized Nigerian manufacturer was overpaying CIT and VAT due to fragmented record-keeping and missed pioneer status benefits. Outliers re-engineered their tax position and recovered ₦180m in 14 months.
Challenge
The client carried unrecognised input VAT, mis-applied WHT credits, and had never claimed available capital allowances on its 2021–2023 capex. Group tax exposure was rising despite stagnant revenue.
Approach
We ran a 4-week diagnostic across CIT, VAT, WHT, PAYE and TET filings; rebuilt the fixed-asset register; mapped capital allowances; and engaged FIRS proactively on prior-year reconciliations.
Solution
Implemented a quarterly tax calendar, automated WHT-credit tracking in their ERP, filed amended returns where defensible, and submitted a pioneer-status renewal pack with full economic justification.
Results
₦180m recovered through credits and refunds; effective tax rate dropped from 34% to 26%; zero FIRS assessment disputes in the following filing year.
Business impact
Released working capital that funded a new production line — equivalent to 9 months of debt-service savings.