LIRS OTP Crisis: Thousands Stranded as Lagos Tax Portal Reset Fails
While the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the tax filing deadline to April 21, a growing crisis is preventing thousands from complying.
Investigative reports and a surge in taxpayer complaints reveal a systemic failure in the eTax portal’s One-Time Password (OTP) system.
Taxpayers are currently trapped between a non-functional digital platform and the threat of a ₦100,000 late filing penalty.
The crisis has reportedly created an opening for extortion, with some individuals claiming staff are demanding as much as ₦180,000 to “fix” portal issues manually.
The OTP Dead-End: Why Your Password Reset is Failing
The most consistent complaint involves the “Forgot Password” feature on etax.lirs.net.
Taxpayers report that despite multiple attempts, OTP codes are either not sent to registered numbers or are flagged as “Invalid” upon arrival.
In some cases, the system reportedly sends codes to email addresses and phone numbers that do not belong to the account owner.
This suggests a deeper data synchronization error following the 2026 integration of national identity databases.
The ₦180,000 Extortion Trap
With the live chat box on the website reportedly unresponsive, desperate taxpayers are seeking “offline” help.
One taxpayer alleged that a staff member who assisted with a TIN registration is now demanding ₦180,000 to file the returns.
“Why are staff demanding as high as 180k to file tax returns for me?” one frustrated resident asked.
This “pay-to-play” barrier is forcing many to travel to local government offices (LGAs) to wait in long queues for simple password resets.
How to Contact LIRS Customer Service (Official Channels)
If you are experiencing the “OTP Not Received” error, do not pay unauthorized fees to individuals.
Based on current search trends for “LIRS Customer Care Number,” here are the official verified contact points:
- LIRS Customer Care Hotline: 0700-CALL-LIRS (0700 2255 5477)
- Official Email Support: etaxinfo@lirs.net or info@lirs.net
- X (Twitter) Support: @lirs_govng
- Instagram Support: @lirsgovng
- Physical Help Desks: Visit the nearest LIRS mini-tax station at your local government headquarters.
Investigative Pro-Tip: The “Incorrect Email” Fix
If your OTP is going to an unknown email, your profile likely contains outdated data from a previous employer’s registration.
To fix this without a physical visit, try reaching out via the official @lirs_govng handle on X (formerly Twitter) with a Direct Message containing your Payer ID and a photo of your valid ID card.
Do not share your password or sensitive bank details with anyone claiming to be an “agent” on live chat or social media.
ALSO READ: LIRS Portal Login: How to Navigate eTax Lagos Amidst the 2026 NRS Tax Reforms
