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The short answer
On the SA106 foreign pages, each Nigerian income item goes on a row: country code NGA in column A, the gross amount in pounds in column B, Nigerian tax in column C, an X in column E if you claim foreign tax credit relief, and the taxable amount in column F. Totals then go in the boxes for interest (3 and 4), dividends (5 and 6) or property (14 to 30). Convert naira at the exchange rate when the income arose.
The SA106 pages look harder than they are. Most Nigerians in the UK use only two or three sections: overseas savings interest, dividends from foreign companies and foreign property. This walk-through uses HMRC's SA106 notes for the 2025 to 2026 tax year. It is information, not tax advice; for which income needs reporting at all, start with declaring Nigerian income.
The six columns
For interest, dividends and pensions, the notes describe the same six columns.
- Column A
- Three-letter country code. Nigeria is NGA; HMRC's list marks it as a country with a double taxation agreement.
- Column B
- The total income in pounds before any foreign tax is taken off.
- Column C
- Foreign tax paid, in pounds.
- Column D
- Special withholding tax or UK tax taken off, if any. Usually blank for Nigerian income.
- Column E
- Put X if you are claiming foreign tax credit relief (FTCR).
- Column F
- Taxable amount: column B if you claim FTCR; column B minus column C if you do not.
The choice in column E matters. Claiming FTCR means you are taxed on the gross income and get a credit for Nigerian tax. Not claiming means you are taxed on the net amount instead. HMRC's HS263 helpsheet says deduction is generally better only where you have no UK tax to pay, for example because of losses.
Interest from Nigerian accounts
Enter Nigerian interest on a row with NGA in column A, the gross interest in pounds in column B and any Nigerian tax shown on your bank statement in column C. Box 3 is the total of column D and box 4 the total of column F. If the bank withheld nothing, column C stays blank and columns B and F are the same. Box 4.1 is only for a claim under the FIG regime.
Dividends from Nigerian companies
Dividends use box 5 (total of column D) and box 6 (total of column F), with box 6.1 for a FIG claim. The notes say to include all dividend income, even if it is less than £500. They also say that if you are within the dividend allowance and have paid no UK tax on the dividends, you cannot claim FTCR on that income.
Worked example: dividends
Example only, with assumed figures. You receive a gross dividend of ₦400,000 from a Nigerian bank's shares, with ₦40,000 withheld, which matches the 10% rate the NGEX diaspora guide hosted by NiDCOM gives for dividends. At an assumed ₦2,000 per pound on the payment date, you enter: column A NGA, column B £200, column C £20, column E X, column F £200. Box 6 then includes £200.
Rent from Nigerian property
Foreign property has its own section. The notes say property income from the UK and overseas totalling £1,000 or less is exempt and need not be reported unless you want to claim a loss. Above that, the key boxes are:
| Box | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| 14 | Total rents and other receipts |
| 14.1 | Property income allowance, if you use it instead of expenses |
| 17 | Allowable expenses |
| 24 and 25 | Adjusted profit or loss, and the summary |
| 26 | Losses brought forward |
| 27 | Total taxable profits |
| 28 | Total foreign tax (column C) |
| 30 | Total taxable amount (column F) |
| 30.1 | Amount claimed under the FIG regime |
| 32 | Losses carried forward |
Worked example: rent
Example only. Gross rent of ₦3,000,000 arises with ₦300,000 Nigerian withholding tax, and you spend ₦600,000 on agent fees and repairs. At an assumed ₦2,000 per pound, rent is £1,500, expenses £300 and profit £1,200, with £150 of Nigerian tax for column C and box 28. Which costs are allowable is covered in allowable costs on Nigerian rentals.
Converting the figures
Every amount is in pounds. The notes say to convert using the exchange rate at the time the income arose and link to HMRC's exchange rates; dividends are valued at the date of distribution. HMRC also publishes average rates each 31 March and 31 December. Our guide to which exchange rate to use explains the options and what the notes do not say.
Foreign tax credit relief total
Box 2 holds your total FTCR. The notes point to helpsheet HS263 for the calculation and say HMRC will work it out if you do not. FTCR cannot exceed the UK tax on the same income, and cannot be claimed on income you also claim FIG relief on. More in claiming foreign tax credit relief.
Steps
- Gather Nigerian statements showing gross amounts, dates and tax withheld.
- Convert each amount at the rate when it arose; keep your workings.
- Fill one NGA row per income type, with X in column E if claiming FTCR.
- Carry totals to boxes 3 to 6 and 14 to 30 as relevant.
- Enter total FTCR in box 2, or leave HMRC to calculate it.
Questions people ask
What is the country code for Nigeria on SA106?
NGA. HMRC's SA106 notes list Nigeria as NGA and mark it as a country with a double taxation agreement.
Do I enter Nigerian income gross or net on SA106?
Gross, in pounds, in column B, with the Nigerian tax in column C. Column F depends on whether you claim foreign tax credit relief.
Do I need SA106 for small Nigerian rent?
Not if your total UK and overseas property income is £1,000 or less, which is exempt, unless you want to claim a loss.
Where does foreign tax credit relief go on SA106?
Put X in column E for each item and the total relief in box 2. HMRC will calculate it if you leave it.
Sources
- SA106 Notes 2026: Foreign, tax year 2025 to 2026, HMRC · accessed Oct 2026
- Relief for foreign tax paid 2026 (HS263), HMRC (updated 6 April 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- NGEX Diaspora Guide to Nigeria's 2026 tax reforms, hosted by NiDCOM (Dec 2025/Jan 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
- HMRC average exchange rates, UK Trade Tariff (latest release March 2026) · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.