₦airaland Forum

brain54:
Black tax, there is a term for everything nowadays...


Anyways, I think it has it's origin from our (African) cultural background from communal lifestyle.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad concept. As it's mostly the excess earned that is used to cater for family. Where it becomes a burden is when one begins to struggle to meet such responsibilities.

Many Africans have embraced the western concept of "me, myself and I" but originally we had our communal way of living where everyone looked after each other.

I think most of our old ways of doing things shouldn't be eroded completely in the race to become Westernised rather modifications should be applied where applicable and necessary.


I have a lot of things to say about the Chinese and sticking to and modifying their traditional ways of doing things and how well it has worked for them.

A country or continent that throws away it's cultural identity and original ideology in embrace of foreign cultural norms hardly progresses!

Op pls don't come and make caring and loving look bad. Pls it's not mandatory for you to take care of anyone, that is for those with a heart of compassion and love .
There are so many persons who don't know there parents or family needs help & love , but they rather help outside family than their's so they have this public out look off a "successful man " just deceits. Giving and caring for others are acts of virtue and in Africa we have that heart to help especially to poor and needy in the community.
And if you have ( blessed ) and you don't help it's either they rob , kidnap you or run you down but when you help one out of the crowd might alert of impeding danger. #Stopgivingpetstoomuchattention
#Helptheneedyaroundyoualways
#Courage&Love
#BabiesoverPuppies& Kittens

This is the point Lammy.Great one there.

drLammy:
Overtime i had serious thought about this whole black tax thing and the only thing i could conclude is the root foundation of the problem.
Aside poverty which has ravaged many african society, the black tax system stems from the mode of your own survival while growing up. You will agree with me often times our parents takes most responsibility for our needs till full adulthood, you could even see a full matured man or woman in their 30's still living with their parents or siblings in this clime which everyone look at as normal.
Imagine your parents/guardian taking hard loans selling their stuffs for your survival while you needed them the most
So come to think of it, when heavens now smile on you then you suddenly start getting money you want to abandon these people?
I believe thats why it comes with a level of entitlement and not gesture.
In comparison the western society has a form of system that takes care of their offspring ranging from access to credit cards, student loans e.tc .
You hardly get those sort of soft landing here which further puts pressure on your guardian.

In conclusion,even though I would say its not a good way of living but our system didn't give us that choice to make.
Also it would be necessary to only take care of those who had done the same when you needed them rather than rewarding deadbeats who had abandoned you in those times and it would be advisable to do it very cautiously.

E don reach time even the person wey marry your sister go dey call to collect Black Tax abi wetin una call ammm sef, I don tiyah aswerugod

Inheritance and responsibility brought about the Black tax. Suffer together, reap together.

I support this tax.

Don't you worry, it will soon be your turn. Because the whites don't do it means it is wrong in Africa.

It sounds like a good write-up to you, but you're completely wrong.

The whites have social net for every cadre of their citizens. If you are out of job, if you are sick, if you are old.

Africa has none, our family system is our social net, but you won't understand yet.

Grow a little more.

Good Job to OP.
To be sincere, I never come across the term "Black Tax" before but it's one of the things that is baffled me recently.
Family members that were being told to serious with their education or the work learning but defiance , those who choose idle flexing over learning skill, they impregnate their fellow lazy girls to give birth to children they can't train. Their responsibility is being on a person who has little financial breakthrough, they ask endlessly, said it's God that choose him as breadwinner for them.

The parents own is reasonably if they are not use it extravagantly

But for others, I think empowerment advice and a little support for those that ready for financial freedom is the best, not by repeatedly paying their bills

ibechris:
That is because most guys dont really know who and what are their responsibilities.

Please can you explain what their responsibilities are?

The most annoying is relatives who give birth to many kids and expect others to raise them. Thunder

Zidoh:
Tax is good and compulsory even Bible mention it but what are they using our tax for is the main things . You can’t be collecting tax and embezzling it . That’s not how it’s been done in other countries . Their Government make use of the taxes for the benefit of tax payers.

Wetin this person dey talk sef?

missionmex:
Why associating bad things with black. Why not say redtax or whitetax why must bad things be associated with black?

Why are you associating yourself with black when you are not even black

it won't be nice for me to read through and not put my own opinion

Black tax black slave black life ....

We don't have to compare Everything we do with others
We don't have to do what others do to live our life
We have our own way of life before the whites came and so it's part of us to always support each other
The reason why we get ourself in mess is because we break up from most of the teachings that are upright and follows other people's opinions

Nothing bad if you support your people most especially your immediate family ...
And more so it's not compulsory to give them money monthly but don't denial any of them support when you have
I know of a man that has been supporting his whole village not even family alone and he has not for once complain ...
I have a brother who I support with house and work too when I found out that he doesn't want to work anymore I have to let go and I told him to look for means by himself ... Life is not a do or die 🎲 play and let others play

Let's do the right thing and live a giver life than looking at someone else way of life and pushing ourself into issues

The real slave is out there it's not about giving

If sending 20k to your mother is the reason why you couldn't break generational poverty then you are not serious.
Tell Nigerian youths to be productive and stop Yahoo, hookup, miracle money and gambling.
All serious countries broke free from poverty when their youths embraced industrialization and productivity.

Dpsychologist:
Let’s be brutally honest — Black Tax is slavery dressed up as culture.

For those unfamiliar, Black Tax is the cultural expectation that once you start earning, your salary belongs not just to you, but to your parents, siblings, cousins — sometimes even uncles and aunties.
Sounds noble, right? But here’s the hard truth:

Many people in their 20s and 30s especially firstborns are stuck living like they’re still broke, not because they don’t earn, but because their family’s demands never end.
Everywhere in Africa, once you start earning, you’re automatically turned into the family’s ATM especially when not born with a silver spoon . It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, if your salary is small, or if you’re struggling yourself — the moment you collect that paycheck, you owe everybody.

They call it “responsibility.” But let’s tell the truth:

It’s financial exploitation.

It’s entitlement disguised as love.

It’s one of the biggest reasons young Africans will NEVER break generational poverty.

The Trap

A graduate earns ₦70k.

₦20k to mum.

₦15k to dad.

₦10k to sibling.

Another cousin calls for school fees.

Uncle calls for “urgent 5k.”

At the end of the month, guess what’s left? Zero.
No savings. No investment. No future. Just endless poverty cycle.

And when you dare say “No,” you’re suddenly the wicked, ungrateful child.

The Irony

Here’s the painful part:

The same parents who drained their kids often never saved or invested when they were young.
They now dump the responsibility of their own financial failure on their children.

Instead of empowering the next generation, they enslave them with guilt.

And let’s be real — how many families use this money wisely?
At times, it goes into wasteful spending while the “breadwinner” suffers in silence.

The Hard Truth Nobody Wants to Hear

If African youth keep paying endless Black Tax, nobody will ever be rich.
One person cannot save a whole clan. Period.

👉 A child’s duty is not to fund laziness, poor planning, or entitlement.
👉 If you destroy your own financial future to please family, you will just create another generation of broke people.

The Conversation We Need

Should young Africans build themselves first before carrying family on their back?

Is saying “NO” selfish, or the only way to break free?

At what point does “support” turn into slavery?

Until we face the truth, Black Tax will keep Africa chained to poverty.

What’s your take?
Are we ready to break this culture, or are we too afraid of being called “selfish”?

brain54:
Black tax, there is a term for everything nowadays...


Anyways, I think it has it's origin from our (African) cultural background from communal lifestyle.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad concept. As it's mostly the excess earned that is used to cater for family. Where it becomes a burden is when one begins to struggle to meet such responsibilities.

Many Africans have embraced the western concept of "me, myself and I" but originally we had our communal way of living where everyone looked after each other.

I think most of our old ways of doing things shouldn't be eroded completely in the race to become Westernised rather modifications should be applied where applicable and necessary.


I have a lot of things to say about the Chinese and sticking to and modifying their traditional ways of doing things and how well it has worked for them.

A country or continent that throws away it's cultural identity and original ideology in embrace of foreign cultural norms hardly progresses!

The gods will bless you for this.

Many of them will be filled with regrets after those they neglect are dead and gone. Worst is, after the neglect, when the person they neglect dies, they'll still spend more to bury the said person.

They want to live like those who were born form sperm banks. African man with foolishness in the name of wokeness.

That's their problem though. As for me, nothing will let me abandon my aged mother and sisters even if most are married. Unless I no get, I no get be that.

The wereys do not know that, this so called black tax does not stop anyone from saving and investing in their future.

Like myself, I cut off friends wey dey make me spend too much on beer and enjoyment outside. Instead, I'll buy beer at supermarkets (it's a bit cheaper there) and drink at home with my family. Any friend I ever invite, will eat or drink whatever I have at home. Any werey wey no like am, that's the last I go invite you. Most African men spend too much on side chick and enjoyment with the boys but when e comes to family, they remember black tax. Continue. Na you go feel regrets and miss the person you neglect later.

If you no fit manage ya life, na you know.

tctrills:
You don't really understand. Asian are much more closer to their families than you blacks and that's what makes them super competitive and successful in Europe and America.

Same with the Jews. These people prioritize family and community.
They invest in their family and community and it makes them successful.

It's not a black thing, it's a good thing

Black Americans on the other hand have destroyed the family system. Their men don't take care of their babies talk less of their parents and they have become a failed community.

So the Asians you know share their salaries with extended family every month?

This is the story of many hardworking young and middle age adults from low and middle class families.
It’s so much entrenched into our culture and societal norms that we need to lend a helping hand to in the family, who’s not doing so well.
Sometimes, it’s a thing of joy that we’re able to help our brothers and sisters, pulling ourselves out of poverty. But this soon becomes very tiring and difficult to sustain.
It’s one of the few things that I gave up on. Parents are weak and can really play a very bad role when it comes to this, making things more difficult. Anyways. We do what we can do and leave what we can’t.

Dpsychologist:
Let’s be brutally honest — Black Tax is slavery dressed up as culture.

For those unfamiliar, Black Tax is the cultural expectation that once you start earning, your salary belongs not just to you, but to your parents, siblings, cousins — sometimes even uncles and aunties.
Sounds noble, right? But here’s the hard truth:

Many people in their 20s and 30s especially firstborns are stuck living like they’re still broke, not because they don’t earn, but because their family’s demands never end.
Everywhere in Africa, once you start earning, you’re automatically turned into the family’s ATM especially when not born with a silver spoon . It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, if your salary is small, or if you’re struggling yourself — the moment you collect that paycheck, you owe everybody.

The Irony

Here’s the painful part:

The same parents who drained their kids often never saved or invested when they were young.
They now dump the responsibility of their own financial failure on their children.

Instead of empowering the next generation, they enslave them with guilt.

And let’s be real — how many families use this money wisely?
At times, it goes into wasteful spending while the “breadwinner” suffers in silence.

it is actually people like you who have entitlement mentality

maybe i should go and invest the money i am spending on my kids school fees into bonds and send them to public school. that sounds about right

the gall of people whose parents made sacrifices for them to open their mouths and say their parents were not smart with money. it is easy to make money if you don't give a damn about your children's welfare.

then again - this is talk from paupers with pauper mentality. entitlement all around.

Dpsychologist:
Let’s be brutally honest — Black Tax is slavery dressed up as culture.

For those unfamiliar, Black Tax is the cultural expectation that once you start earning, your salary belongs not just to you, but to your parents, siblings, cousins — sometimes even uncles and aunties.
Sounds noble, right? But here’s the hard truth:

Many people in their 20s and 30s especially firstborns are stuck living like they’re still broke, not because they don’t earn, but because their family’s demands never end.
Everywhere in Africa, once you start earning, you’re automatically turned into the family’s ATM especially when not born with a silver spoon . It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, if your salary is small, or if you’re struggling yourself — the moment you collect that paycheck, you owe everybody.

They call it “responsibility.” But let’s tell the truth:

It’s financial exploitation.

It’s entitlement disguised as love.

It’s one of the biggest reasons young Africans will NEVER break generational poverty.

The Trap

A graduate earns ₦70k.

₦20k to mum.

₦15k to dad.

₦10k to sibling.

Another cousin calls for school fees.

Uncle calls for “urgent 5k.”

At the end of the month, guess what’s left? Zero.
No savings. No investment. No future. Just endless poverty cycle.

And when you dare say “No,” you’re suddenly the wicked, ungrateful child.

The Irony

Here’s the painful part:

The same parents who drained their kids often never saved or invested when they were young.
They now dump the responsibility of their own financial failure on their children.

Instead of empowering the next generation, they enslave them with guilt.

And let’s be real — how many families use this money wisely?
At times, it goes into wasteful spending while the “breadwinner” suffers in silence.

The Hard Truth Nobody Wants to Hear

If African youth keep paying endless Black Tax, nobody will ever be rich.
One person cannot save a whole clan. Period.

👉 A child’s duty is not to fund laziness, poor planning, or entitlement.
👉 If you destroy your own financial future to please family, you will just create another generation of broke people.

The Conversation We Need

Should young Africans build themselves first before carrying family on their back?

Is saying “NO” selfish, or the only way to break free?

At what point does “support” turn into slavery?

Until we face the truth, Black Tax will keep Africa chained to poverty.

What’s your take?
Are we ready to break this culture, or are we too afraid of being called “selfish”?

This write up is far away from reality, because these are two different races with different backgrounds.

Having said that, helping members of your family does not in any way affects your progress in life.

Those whites were able to get along faster because of the enabling environment created by their leaders

The governments in Africa are the root causes of slow progress in human and infrastrural development and not these flimsy excuses here

Black tax is a derogatory term. Its not by force to give to your love one who is in need. Give what you can afford and if you are not buoyant enough, there is nothing you can do. Stop complaining

Silent killer of your dreams.
You are the one choosing to give them. ** No talk.

Other things are "killers of Dreams"

Nothing Black Tax
If you have and you feel like helping or empowering your family please do so..

If you don't feel like please don't.. Is not compulsory you use your 70k per month salary to send to your relatives use it to sort yourself first...

The reason why Indians are ahead of any group in the USA is because they ensure they empower their people both back home and in states..

providencia:
Black tax is a derogatory term. Its not by force to give to your love one who is in need. Give what you can afford and if you are not buoyant enough, there is nothing you can do. Stop complaining

Don't mind him...

He should go and tell the Indians that what they are doing is black tax...

I have not seen a group that supports their family members like Indians

missionmex:
Why associating bad things with black. Why not say redtax or whitetax why must bad things be associated with black?

It's not bad until the entitlement mindset from the beneficiary(ies) creeps in.

However IF one benefited from the concept, one is obligated to support. The circle keeps getting wider. Careful modification is required.

Myself, I built a house for them.

Black tax doesn’t not prevent you from being great, it is our unique communal way of life.

Black tax is the only reason that the street isn’t littered with homeless drug addicts despite to economic situation and poverty in the country. As Africans we accommodate and help one another as a community unlike the west. It is not everything we see from the west we should copy. In the eest despite their economic prosperity homeless people and drug addicts are all over the street, hopelessness, loneliness and individualism has made each person an island with no one to help you when you’re down.

Send what you can afford as black tax. I happily send to my parents. If e dey pain you to send money to your parents or siblings then stop, as for me it gives me joy!

babat89:
So the Asians you know share their salaries with extended family every month?

In the US, actually yes. The share not only salary but they live together. And work together. If you don't know, ask please

Esthered:
Please can you explain what their responsibilities are?

Their responsibilities aside their parents,should be on how to enhance their financial prosperity and not their financial damnation.

Pity for other family members can only ruin u further.

When I started helping family members,the news spread faster and i started receiving stupid financial requests and I realised I was killing myself...I had to rethink my steps and learnt how to say no to these guys and I thank my stars that I did.

At my age,I only think about retirements and and how best to continue to invest unceasingly for a better tomorrow...while rendering less than 1% of gifts and help by the way.

It is a biblical concept n not african.

Dpsychologist:
Let’s be brutally honest — Black Tax is slavery dressed up as culture.

For those unfamiliar, Black Tax is the cultural expectation that once you start earning, your salary belongs not just to you, but to your parents, siblings, cousins — sometimes even uncles and aunties.
Sounds noble, right? But here’s the hard truth:

Many people in their 20s and 30s especially firstborns are stuck living like they’re still broke, not because they don’t earn, but because their family’s demands never end.
Everywhere in Africa, once you start earning, you’re automatically turned into the family’s ATM especially when not born with a silver spoon . It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, if your salary is small, or if you’re struggling yourself — the moment you collect that paycheck, you owe everybody.

They call it “responsibility.” But let’s tell the truth:

It’s financial exploitation.

It’s entitlement disguised as love.

It’s one of the biggest reasons young Africans will NEVER break generational poverty.

The Trap

A graduate earns ₦70k.

₦20k to mum.

₦15k to dad.

₦10k to sibling.

Another cousin calls for school fees.

Uncle calls for “urgent 5k.”

At the end of the month, guess what’s left? Zero.
No savings. No investment. No future. Just endless poverty cycle.

And when you dare say “No,” you’re suddenly the wicked, ungrateful child.

The Irony

Here’s the painful part:

The same parents who drained their kids often never saved or invested when they were young.
They now dump the responsibility of their own financial failure on their children.

Instead of empowering the next generation, they enslave them with guilt.

And let’s be real — how many families use this money wisely?
At times, it goes into wasteful spending while the “breadwinner” suffers in silence.

The Hard Truth Nobody Wants to Hear

If African youth keep paying endless Black Tax, nobody will ever be rich.
One person cannot save a whole clan. Period.

👉 A child’s duty is not to fund laziness, poor planning, or entitlement.
👉 If you destroy your own financial future to please family, you will just create another generation of broke people.

The Conversation We Need

Should young Africans build themselves first before carrying family on their back?

Is saying “NO” selfish, or the only way to break free?

At what point does “support” turn into slavery?

Until we face the truth, Black Tax will keep Africa chained to poverty.

What’s your take?
Are we ready to break this culture, or are we too afraid of being called “selfish”?

Thanks for sharing this post. In the UK, Africans are one of the few ethnic groups that start their career with no inheritance and are burdened with multiple liabilities beyond their capacity.

tctrills:
1) You don't really understand. Asian are much more closer to their families than you blacks and that's what makes them super competitive and successful in Europe and America.

Same with the Jews. These people prioritize family and community.
They invest in their family and community and it makes them successful.

2) Black Americans on the other hand have destroyed the family system. Their men don't take care of their babies talk less of their parents and they have become a failed community.

1) Asians....Eastern Asians...have the highest measured average IQ. That's the MAIN reason why Asians are the highest INCOME race in the USA. That's also why they have the lowest rates of murderers, criminals in general and imprisonment. Intelligent people love their families and are generally productive enough not to be oppressively dependent. They can accurately guage long term consequences.

2) Now to Black Americans. You're correct that our family system has broken down. WHO destroyed it is a judgement that requires perspective.

In 1950 over 75% of Black American children were born to married couples. Today over 75% of Black American children in the USA are born to single parents. By the way, people of Black African (non Caribbean) ancestry in the UK have a 33% rate of illegitimacy. The best predictor of poverty in the USA is belonging to a household headed by an unmarried parent...it's a better predictor than RACE, UNIVERSITY EDUCATION AND INHERITANCE.

Why is there a high rate of single parenthood among Blacks in the US/UK? The answer is simple - welfare payments were instituted in the USA by President Johnson around 1965. The UK also has generous welfare payments. When welfare payments started the Federal Government had a special police force that went round to make sure no man was living in homes that received welfare payments. Until mothers LEARNED the rules and stopped getting married.

Government welfare payments are a powerful incentive with terrible long term consequences. I'll venture to predict that such welfare payments in Nigeria will have disastrous results.

tctrills:
In the US, actually yes. The share not only salary but they live together. And work together. If you don't know, ask please

LOL, I worked with Asians for many years. Does a son getting paid for working in the family restaurant or pharmacy count as 'sharing salary' ? I have good Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese friends, I think it's mainly thrift and hard work that accounts for Asian prosperity.

Good Luck to Nigerians.

ibechris:
Their responsibilities aside their parents,should be on how to enhance their financial prosperity and not their financial damnation.

Pity for other family members can only ruin u further.

When I started helping family members,the news spread faster and i started receiving stupid financial requests and I realised I was killing myself...I had to rethink my steps and learnt how to say no to these guys and I thank my stars that I did.

At my age,I only think about retirements and and how best to continue to invest unceasingly for a better tomorrow...while rendering less than 1% of gifts and help by the way.

How did they react to you saying "no"?

Thanks for your response.

Dpsychologist:
Let’s be brutally honest — Black Tax is slavery dressed up as culture.

For those unfamiliar, Black Tax is the cultural expectation that once you start earning, your salary belongs not just to you, but to your parents, siblings, cousins — sometimes even uncles and aunties.
Sounds noble, right? But here’s the hard truth:

Many people in their 20s and 30s especially firstborns are stuck living like they’re still broke, not because they don’t earn, but because their family’s demands never end.
Everywhere in Africa, once you start earning, you’re automatically turned into the family’s ATM especially when not born with a silver spoon . It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, if your salary is small, or if you’re struggling yourself — the moment you collect that paycheck, you owe everybody.

They call it “responsibility.” But let’s tell the truth:

It’s financial exploitation.

It’s entitlement disguised as love.

It’s one of the biggest reasons young Africans will NEVER break generational poverty.

The Trap

A graduate earns ₦70k.

₦20k to mum.

₦15k to dad.

₦10k to sibling.

Another cousin calls for school fees.

Uncle calls for “urgent 5k.”

At the end of the month, guess what’s left? Zero.
No savings. No investment. No future. Just endless poverty cycle.

And when you dare say “No,” you’re suddenly the wicked, ungrateful child.

The Irony

Here’s the painful part:

The same parents who drained their kids often never saved or invested when they were young.
They now dump the responsibility of their own financial failure on their children.

Instead of empowering the next generation, they enslave them with guilt.

And let’s be real — how many families use this money wisely?
At times, it goes into wasteful spending while the “breadwinner” suffers in silence.

The Hard Truth Nobody Wants to Hear

If African youth keep paying endless Black Tax, nobody will ever be rich.
One person cannot save a whole clan. Period.

👉 A child’s duty is not to fund laziness, poor planning, or entitlement.
👉 If you destroy your own financial future to please family, you will just create another generation of broke people.

The Conversation We Need

Should young Africans build themselves first before carrying family on their back?

Is saying “NO” selfish, or the only way to break free?

At what point does “support” turn into slavery?

Until we face the truth, Black Tax will keep Africa chained to poverty.

What’s your take?
Are we ready to break this culture, or are we too afraid of being called “selfish”?

You most likely at several points too enjoyed the black tax