The Lagos State Government has insisted that popular TikTok creator, Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, and other digital influencers are not exempt from paying taxes.
This comes after the 20-year-old influencer criticized the government for slamming him with a ₦36 million tax bill. During a recent livestream with singer Peruzzi, Peller expressed outrage, questioning why he should be burdened with such a huge demand barely a year after rising to fame.
“The task force said I should pay ₦36m in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year. Why should I pay ₦36m? Why will the government take money from me when it has never given me anything, not even TikTok support?” he lamented.
Reacting on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, explained that the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) is an independent body empowered to assess and issue tax judgments on behalf of the state.
“Anybody who earns legitimately is required by Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare income honestly and pay tax. While the specifics of this case will be reviewed, the principle remains that anyone earning must remit taxes,” Ogungbo stated.
He further noted that recent reforms cover digital creators, virtual transactions, and digital assets, stressing that residency in Lagos makes one liable to taxation unless proof of tax payment in another jurisdiction is provided.
“Irrespective of whether you earn physically or virtually, once you reside in Lagos and benefit from the state’s infrastructure, you are expected to pay tax here,” he added.
Ogungbo assured that he would engage the LIRS to clarify Peller’s case but emphasized that taxation is a civic duty.
Meanwhile, efforts to reach the LIRS Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, for comments on the matter proved unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.