My Take On The Tax Policy In Nigeria

I grew up hearing about other countries paying taxes. The few individuals from some of those countries, whom I was fortunate enough to hear their views about tax, made it obvious that they were not favorable.

From their opinion, one could tell that living in such places is not for the weak. One who would be working to make ends meet and tax would still be waiting for them to meet up with.

Humanly speaking, that is not easy. I can't tell you about their governments. But if they take those taxes and actually make certain provisions for the people and develop the country, it's kind of considerable.

Last year, the Nigerian president came up with a tax policy in Nigeria, and there were complaints everywhere about the idea.

The truth is, we know our country very well; most of the leaders come up with policies not to better the nation but for their selfish interests.

What I don't understand about this tax thing in my country is what the government will give the people in return for the tax we will be paying.

We have poor infrastructure, bad roads, and we individually pay for light bills, water, and Internet. For years, we have been promised a better country, but here we are still stuck in one place.

We are aware of the heavy loans our country collected in the name of developing the nation, but things are still the same. How sure are we that this tax would be put into proper use?

However, let me be honest, for about three years now, there has been a federal government road under construction from the Federal capital through my state. I commend the government's effort on that.

I am saying this because I don't want to be biased; the government is trying too, but they need to improve.

For this tax thing, it doesn't really sit well with me because the majority of Nigerians are struggling to survive. I just hope that the tax won't be something that would be a heavy burden for the average person.

Imagine doing a twenty-thousand-naira job, you are paying your children's school fees, paying the light bill, paying for transportation, and still paying tax. How would you survive?

Most people would end up living in debt for the rest of their lives. Well, I pray it doesn't end that way.

One thing I need clarity on is whether everyone will be paying this tax, even those who are not employed. If yes, then seriously, there would be a problem; it would just be like the government taking the little people who are surviving on.

And I see many people avoiding keeping money in banks to avoid drama. Imagine being a student, and your parents sent you school fees, only for a part of it to be deducted as a tax levy.

I heard people talking about using narration to avoid tax. I just hope it makes sense because I know my fellow Nigerians, even those who are supposed to pay tax, will try to use narration to avoid tax. Well, let's see how things go. I hope we cope.

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N.B: All Images Were Generated By Gemini AI

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