₦airaland Forum

“Tax Don Start” — Influencer Cries Out After Paying ₦487,500 VAT on ₦6.5m Purchase

A Nigerian social media influencer identified as Raye has sparked widespread conversation online after revealing that she was charged ₦487,500 in Value Added Tax (VAT) on purchases totaling ₦6.5 million.

Her outcry comes days after the Federal Government’s revised tax framework took effect on January 1, 2026, introducing stricter VAT enforcement and tighter monitoring of high-value transactions. [/b]Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Raye shared a screenshot of the VAT charge attached to her purchase receipt, expressing shock and frustration over the amount deducted.

[b]“Tax don start. These people just added tax to my bill; they said it’s due to the new tax law,” she wrote.

The post quickly gained traction, drawing reactions from Nigerians across different sectors.

While some social media users argued that stricter tax enforcement is necessary to improve government revenue and national development, others sympathised with influencers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners who are already grappling with rising operational costs.

Many pointed out that individuals earning through content creation, digital platforms, and online businesses may feel the impact of the new tax regime more intensely.

One user commented, “God abeg oo, this year go tough pass last year. How much tax be this?”
Another wrote, “Tax for a country that isn’t functioning well. It is well.

The Federal Government has said the new tax measures are designed to enhance transparency, reduce tax evasion, and expand the country’s revenue base, particularly in sectors with high cash flow and digital earnings.

However, as enforcement becomes stricter, more Nigerians are beginning to feel the immediate financial impact, fueling ongoing debates about taxation, accountability, and public service delivery.

https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/03/tax-don-start-influencer-reacts-vat-6-5m-purchase/

Who did you vote in 2023?

That will give us a better ideobon how to advise you.

It’s for the rich not poor

Those wey e dey affect go cry out then we go know who be who for the tax payment



WAILERS WAIL THE MORE

Hehehe.... Before unko. Maybe if them don dey collect una money well to "improve" the country, and these monies get embezzled, una go serious about governance.

Meanwhile, the Businesses that collect VAT, government better follow them up, else the wereys no go remit, but be adding vat as their business gain - Nigerians are that corrupt - all of us.

My own question: What does the VALUE ADDED in VAT mean?

I don't understand what people mean by influencer. What is an influencer really? Na work?

DixseenMktPlace:
It’s for the rich not poor

Those wey e dey affect go cry out then we go know who be who for the tax payment

No
It would affect the poor more than the rich
Manufacturers, CEOs etc, they would be forced to increase prices of their produced commodities and services, even importers
This would drastically increase prices of things in the coming days

Sirmwill:
No
It would affect the poor more than the rich
Manufacturers, CEOs etc, they would be forced to increase prices of their produced commodities and services, even importers
This would drastically increase prices of things in the coming days

I see,

Sirmwill:
No
It would affect the poor more than the rich
Manufacturers, CEOs etc, they would be forced to increase prices of their produced commodities and services, even importers
This would drastically increase prices of things in the coming days

You’re capping nonsense. Is VAT a new tax? If she had made the same purchases last year, would she not have paid the exact same amount as VAT? So, why will any manufacturer increase price in January over a VAT law that has been in effect since the 90’s?

Again, are you aware that with effect from 1st of January, 2026, Company Income Tax has reduced from 30% to 25%? So, will manufacturers whose CIT has been reduced force any price increment on their customers? Does that make any sense? Are you even aware that companies with an annual turnover of < 100m are now fully exempt from CIT? So, why will such companies push any increment to customers?

seunmsg:
You’re capping nonsense. Is VAT a new tax? If she had made the same purchases last year, would she not have paid the exact same amount as VAT? So, why will any manufacturer increase price in January over a VAT law that has been in effect since the 90’s?

Again, are you aware that with effect from 1st of January, 2026, Company Income Tax has reduced from 30% to 25%? So, will manufacturers whose CIT has been reduced force any price increment on their customers? Does that make any sense? Are you even aware that companies with an annual turnover of < 100m are now fully exempt from CIT? So, why will such companies push any increment to customers?

Just listen to yourself!

If she has been paying this high VAT, why is she now crying out loudly?

Some people just support evil because it's done by their people.

Dogalmighty17:
I don't understand what people mean by influencer. What is an influencer really? Na work?

A influencer is someone that influences. Na job Sha, you go just de influence de go. And money go de come.

Ohhhh so you people were not paying tax all these while?

Yet you compare Nigeria to countries where people pay tax.
Na granite dey inside una head

It's just getting started

What's the cry about...

So, you have been making purchases of over #6.5Mn and not paying any VAT before now

I don't understand the shout

seunmsg:
You’re capping nonsense. Is VAT a new tax? If she had made the same purchases last year, would she not have paid the exact same amount as VAT? So, why will any manufacturer increase price in January over a VAT law that has been in effect since the 90’s?

Again, are you aware that with effect from 1st of January, 2026, Company Income Tax has reduced from 30% to 25%? So, will manufacturers whose CIT has been reduced force any price increment on their customers? Does that make any sense? Are you even aware that companies with an annual turnover of < 100m are now fully exempt from CIT? So, why will such companies push any increment to customers?

Company income tax has reduced to 25% and everybody who has not been paying will now start paying. That will shoot prices up by at least 40%

Why am I even talking with people who has never ran a business in all their lives.

30k laptop crews should be discussing with civil servants.

Emperor Tinubu the great 👍 we hail thee

Don't you plan to become rich someday?

DixseenMktPlace:
It’s for the rich not poor

Those wey e dey affect go cry out then we go know who be who for the tax payment

they really need to start regulating SM or go the china way and ensure people who run their mouths on social media actually have the competence to do so

7.5% vat has been a thing for over 5 years now, when they increased from 5%

this silly attention seeking clown is shouting the sky is blue

vanbonattel:
Who did you vote in 2023?

That will give us a better ideobon how to advise you.

Maybe she be one of the "Data Boys" aka INFLUENCER of dolts!

Abeg, make she go and pay, na dem dey help Gofment spread and spin all their Nonsense.

Is this new task collected at the Point of Sale or at the bank transactions? Her receipt is at POS. Trust many firms and shops to adjust their machines illegally for this buhaha and extort customers. The awareness is very poor.

Sirmwill:
No
It would affect the poor more than the rich
Manufacturers, CEOs etc, they would be forced to increase prices of their produced commodities and services, even importers
This would drastically increase prices of things in the coming days

You people will just open mouth waaaaah and be yapping trash.
Have companies not being paying VAT?
How can you be so ignorant yet you speak so confidently

What kind of people am I sharing country with?

Learn the difference between CIT, PIT, and VAT. I don't blame influencers, I actually blame people that follow them.

If they charge you VAT, give them your TIN, to credit your account. That way you make proper analysis to the tax man at the end of your FY.

That's the way it should be. We all cry "saner climes, saner climes"...that's the way things are done in saner climes. What is left is for the government to use this generated revenues judiciously.

DixseenMktPlace:
It’s for the rich not poor

Those wey e dey affect go cry out then we go know who be who for the tax payment

The lie they told us

As if it will not trickle down to all and sundry

H

vanbonattel:
Just listen to yourself!

If she has been paying this high VAT, why is she now crying out loudly?

Some people just support evil because it's done by their people.

It's like you are the ignorant here. Vat has always been 7.5% for more than 5 years now

At this stage, I think I need mathematical breakdown on this Tax matters. Someone should please emlight me ooo biko

No be only us wey Dey do 2k transfer go collect thus time

My annoyance is that nothing will change. You won't see 9r feel anything all these monies are being used for; the state of roads will not change, Healthcare will not improve, electricity won't improve, insecurity will not change.....nothing changes except the hardship level for the ordinary Nigerian. What a horrible government!

olayinka63:
H
It's like you are the ignorant here. Vat has always been 7.5% for more than 5 years now

How many times have you paid it then, show your own screenshots.

ALL WILL BE WELL.

ALL WILL BE WELL.

E GO BETTER

seunmsg:
You’re capping nonsense. Is VAT a new tax? If she had made the same purchases last year, would she not have paid the exact same amount as VAT? So, why will any manufacturer increase price in January over a VAT law that has been in effect since the 90’s?

Again, are you aware that with effect from 1st of January, 2026, Company Income Tax has reduced from 30% to 25%? So, will manufacturers whose CIT has been reduced force any price increment on their customers? Does that make any sense? Are you even aware that companies with an annual turnover of < 100m are now fully exempt from CIT? So, why will such companies push any increment to customers?

I tire oo

Even many eateries, supermarkets have been adding 7.5% VAT to bills for years. I wonder why she is now making this look like a new thing...

Dogalmighty17:
I don't understand what people mean by influencer. What is an influencer really? Na work?

Yes, influencing is a very high paying job. You get relevance and amass enough followers you can influence.

Brands can pay you millions to influence your 5m followers to use their product.

Google can also explain more to you.

This is not a new thing in the Western world, they're already used to that. We will get used to it soonest.