Anyone Earning Legitimately Must Pay Tax – Lagos Govt Replies Tiktoker Peller
The Lagos State Government has reacted to complaints by popular TikToker Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, who said he was billed N36 million in taxes by the state. the content creator had revealed during a live session with singer Peruzzi that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) sent him a demand notice for income tax.
Peller, who is 20 years old, argued that he only gained fame last year and could not understand why such a large sum was being requested from him.
Responding to the matter on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said anyone earning an income legitimately in the state is expected to pay tax in line with the law.
He explained that the LIRS is an independent body responsible for assessing tax matters and making judgments on behalf of the government.
Ogungbo said that while he had not yet reviewed Peller’s specific case, the law requires residents who earn from physical or online businesses to declare their income and remit taxes unless they can prove they already pay taxes in another jurisdiction.
He added that new reforms also cover digital assets and virtual transactions, which include online content creation.
The adviser stated that taxation applies based on residence, stressing that people benefiting from Lagos infrastructure and services are expected to pay their dues to the state government.
“I need to take a look at this particular context in question. But generally, the LIRS is an autonomous body saddled with the responsibility of assessing and giving the best judgment on behalf of the government. We may need to engage the LIRS as an office to know about this particular case. But within the context of personal income, anybody who is legitimately earning, Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution stipulates that when you earn your living and income legitimately, you are meant to declare that honestly to the authorities. So the context around the size, the quantum and what have you, needs to be properly investigated and we can revert,” the SA said.
