WHT Monthly Returns¶
Last reviewed: 2026-04-01 · Nnamdi
Status: Complete
Route: /tax/wht-returns
1. What is it?¶
WHT Monthly Returns is the module for generating and filing monthly Withholding Tax remittance returns to NRS (formerly FIRS). Each return summarises all WHT deducted from supplier payments (expenses, bill payments, and dividend distributions) during a given month. The return is the filing obligation — the business withholds tax from supplier payments, issues certificates to suppliers (via WHT Certificates), and then files a monthly return with NRS listing all deductions. This page also provides a shortcut to the VAT/WHT Combo managed filing service.
2. How does it work in Finora?¶
2.1 The WHT Monthly Returns page (/tax/wht-returns)¶
Header: - Heading: "WHT Monthly Returns" - Subtitle: "Generate and file monthly Withholding Tax remittances to NRS (Formerly FIRS)" - Year selector — 2024 / 2025 / 2026 - Generate Return button - File VAT/WHT Combo button — shortcuts to Filing Services for managed filing
KPI summary strip (test business, 2026):
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Returns | 0 |
| Filed | 0 |
| Pending | 0 |
| Total WHT (2026) | ₦0.00 |
WHT Returns table: - Heading: "WHT Returns - 2026" - Refresh button - Empty state: "No WHT Returns — Generate your first WHT return to get started" - Generate Return button in empty state
2.2 Generate WHT Return panel¶
Clicking Generate Return opens a right-hand panel:
- Heading: "Generate WHT Return"
- Subtitle: "Generate a monthly WHT return from expense deductions"
Fields:
| Field | Options |
|---|---|
| Select Month | January – December (defaults to current month) |
| Select Year | 2024 / 2025 / 2026 (defaults to current year) |
Explanation text: "This will generate a WHT return summarizing all WHT deductions from paid expenses, bill payments, and dividend distributions in [Month] [Year]."
Action buttons: - Cancel — closes the panel without generating - Generate Return — creates the return for the selected period
2.3 WHT return record (after generation)¶
Each return shows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Period | Month and year |
| Total WHT | Sum of all WHT deducted during the period |
| Number of payees | Count of unique suppliers/payees with WHT deductions |
| Status | Pending / Filed |
| Due Date | 21st of the month following the deduction period |
3. Business rules & constraints¶
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly returns | One WHT return per calendar month |
| Generated from expenses | Returns are built from expenses, bill payments, and dividend distributions that had WHT deducted |
| Due date: 21st of following month | Same deadline as VAT returns (NRS combined deadline) |
| WHT return + WHT certificates = full compliance | The return is the filing to NRS; certificates are the documents issued to suppliers — both are required |
| File VAT/WHT Combo shortcut | Routes to Filing Services (₦9,500 + 7.5% VAT) for managed filing of both VAT and WHT returns together |
| Year selector | View returns for 2024, 2025, or 2026 |
4. Nigerian regulatory context¶
WHT remittance obligation¶
Under Nigerian tax law, any person (company or individual) who deducts WHT from a payment must: 1. Remit the WHT to NRS by the 21st of the month following the deduction 2. File a monthly WHT return listing all payees, amounts, rates, and certificate numbers 3. Issue WHT certificates to each payee (handled via the WHT Certificates module)
WHT return contents (NRS TaxPro-Max format)¶
The WHT return filed with NRS includes: - Schedule of payees — supplier name, TIN, payment amount, WHT rate, WHT amount - Total WHT deducted for the month - Certificate references for each deduction
Penalty for late remittance¶
- 10% of the unremitted WHT + interest at the prevailing CBN monetary policy rate
- Persistent non-remittance may lead to enforcement action by NRS
WHT on dividends¶
WHT on dividend distributions (10%) is also included in the monthly WHT return. Finora captures dividend WHT from the Shareholding & Dividends module and includes it in the return.
Combined VAT/WHT filing¶
NRS accepts combined VAT and WHT returns filed together. The "File VAT/WHT Combo" service on this page takes advantage of this — both returns are prepared and submitted in a single filing engagement.
5. Common customer questions¶
Q: "What's the difference between WHT Returns and WHT Certificates?"
WHT Certificates are individual documents you issue to each supplier proving you deducted WHT from their payment. WHT Returns is the monthly filing to NRS summarising ALL WHT deductions for the period. Think of certificates as receipts for suppliers, and the return as your report to NRS. Both are required.
Q: "My return shows ₦0. Is that correct?"
If no expenses with WHT were recorded for the selected month, the return will show ₦0. Check that your expenses in the Expenses module have WHT amounts recorded. If your business didn't make any payments subject to WHT during the month, a nil return is valid.
Q: "Can I file VAT and WHT together?"
Yes — click the "File VAT/WHT Combo" button. This routes to Filing Services where Finora's team handles both VAT and WHT returns for ₦9,500 + 7.5% VAT.
Q: "I deducted WHT from a dividend payment. Will it appear here?"
Yes — WHT on dividend distributions is included in the monthly WHT return along with WHT from expenses and bill payments.
Q: "What sources does the WHT return pull from?"
The return summarises WHT deductions from three sources: (1) paid expenses, (2) bill payments, and (3) dividend distributions. All three are included automatically when generating the return for a given month.
6. Known edge cases¶
Test business shows 0 returns¶
The COA Test School Academy has no expenses with WHT recorded, so no returns can be generated with data. The Generate Return panel will produce a nil return if used.
WHT credits (receivable) vs WHT returns (payable)¶
The Tax Reports page shows a WHT Credit of ₦12,500 for the test business — this is WHT deducted from the business's invoices BY its customers. That is a receivable (money owed to the business). WHT Returns, by contrast, cover WHT the business deducted FROM its suppliers — that is a payable (money the business owes to NRS). These are two different sides of the same tax.
Month selector defaults to current month¶
The Generate Return panel defaults to the current month (April 2026 if accessed in April). However, the current month's return typically can't be filed until the month concludes. Users should select the prior month for their filing.
7. Escalation trigger¶
Escalate to Tier 3 (Founder) if: - A generated return shows incorrect WHT amounts that don't match known expense deductions - Generate Return fails with an error
Escalate to Tier 2 (Support Lead) if: - Customer needs to amend a previously filed WHT return - Customer is unsure which expenses require WHT deduction - Customer needs help reconciling WHT returns with WHT certificates
8. Last reviewed¶
2026-04-01 — Nnamdi. Verified against production. WHT Monthly Returns page for COA Test School Academy, Year 2026: Total Returns 0 / Filed 0 / Pending 0 / Total WHT ₦0.00. Empty state: "No WHT Returns." Generate Return panel captured: Select Month (January–December, defaults to April) + Select Year (2024/2025/2026, defaults to 2026). Explanation: "summarizing all WHT deductions from paid expenses, bill payments, and dividend distributions." Cancel and Generate Return buttons confirmed. File VAT/WHT Combo button confirmed. Year selector 2024/2025/2026 confirmed. Refresh button confirmed.