The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has issued new guidelines to clarify the tax implications of foreign currency (FCY) transactions for taxpayers, tax practitioners, and tax officials.

The circular, released by the FIRS, aims to address discrepancies between the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Nigeria’s tax laws regarding the treatment of FCY transactions.
While IFRS outlines the accounting principles for FCY transactions, the FIRS has emphasized that tax treatment may differ. The revenue agency clarified that only expenses directly related to income generation are deductible for tax purposes, as stipulated by the Companies Income Tax Act (CITA), Personal Income Tax Act (PITA), and Petroleum Profits Tax Act (PPTA).

The FIRS further explained that exchange differences, which arise from fluctuations in currency rates, are generally taxable income or deductible expenses. However, unrealised exchange differences – those not yet realized through transactions – are not considered for tax purposes. Realised exchange differences, on the other hand, will impact taxable profits.

The revenue agency has also provided specific guidelines for monetary and non-monetary items, emphasizing that exchange differences on monetary items are taxable or deductible, while those on non-monetary items are generally not.

Furthermore, the FIRS has clarified the tax treatment of exchange differences for tax-exempt items, stating that such differences are neither taxable nor deductible.
To ensure compliance, taxpayers are required to maintain detailed records of FCY transactions, including dates, amounts, counterparties, and exchange rates. Additionally, a reconciliation of exchange differences must be provided in tax returns.

The FIRS has warned against artificial realization or deferral of exchange gains or losses for tax avoidance purposes, especially in related-party transactions. Such practices will be subject to adjustments.

The revenue agency has also introduced guidelines for commissions, fees, and other charges associated with foreign exchange transactions, emphasizing the need to comply with the “wholly, reasonably, exclusively, and necessarily” (WREN) test for tax deductibility.
The FIRS’ clarification is expected to provide much-needed clarity for taxpayers and tax administrators on the complex issue of foreign currency transactions and their tax implications.