“Tax Don Start”: Nigerian Influencer Raises Concern Over VAT on ₦6.5 Million Purchases

 

A Nigerian social media influencer known as Raye has expressed frustration after being charged ₦487,500 in Value Added Tax (VAT) on purchases totaling ₦6.5 million.

The incident comes in the wake of the Federal Government of Nigeria’s new tax regulations, which took effect on January 1, 2026, aimed at improving transparency and strengthening VAT collection on high-value transactions.

Raye shared a screenshot of the VAT charges on her X (formerly Twitter) account, accompanied by a post expressing her surprise and concern. She wrote:

"Tax don start. These people just added tax to my bill; they said it’s due to the new tax law."

The post quickly sparked widespread reactions on social media, with Nigerians divided in their opinions. While some argued that stricter tax enforcement is necessary to boost government revenue and fund national development, others sympathized with influencers and small business owners facing rising operational costs.

Many social media users noted that the new tax regime could significantly impact individuals who earn through online platforms, content creation, and other digital businesses. One commentator said, “God abeg oo, this year go tough pass last year. How much tax be this?” Another added, “Tax for a country that isn’t functioning well. It is well.”

As VAT enforcement becomes more stringent in 2026, more Nigerians are expected to feel the financial impact of these changes.

Tags: Charges | Influencer | Tax | Transactions

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Source: Gistreel