Tax Is Taxing – And I Feel Every Bit of It
Speaking from the perspective of someone who has had to deal with this firsthand every single month, I must say that in truth tax is seriously taxing. I mean, I pay about 9.8% of my monthly salary as direct tax, and that's not even counting the indirect taxes I'm constantly being hit with. From VAT on goods and services to levies that come in all shapes and forms, it's just crazy. I mean, if what is done with these payments were visible, I'd be fine, but here I'm wondering what exactly we are paying for.
As a resident of Lagos and a proud Nigerian, I personally don't think it's too much to expect my basic needs in return for the amount I paid in tax on a monthly basis; however, month after month, I watch that percent of my salary being deducted and still left to face the harsh reality of how I'll get the basic needs on my own and as well sustain it till the coming months. Imagine being a regular taxpayer and yet you're made to face the following realities:
No electricity: For over eight months now, we've not once had electricity in my community, and yet the power holding company, Ikeja Electricity, keeps compounding our bills month after month despite the fact that they didn't give us electricity. Does that even make sense that you're asking us to pay for something you didn't give us? Isn't that stealing in disguise? And that's why I ranted in this recent post of mine days ago: while other nations are afraid of what it'll feel like to be without electricity for 5 minutes, we're made to think having it is a luxury down here.
No access to public healthcare: like I said above, aside from the tax I pay monthly, another deduction that happens automatically on my wages is health insurance, and yet I've not been able to make use of the LSHS meant for staff since the beginning of this year because the federal government took over the formerly state-owned hospital, besides the fact that I paid health insurance. I can't even get a reasonable table of pills from my insurance. Has the system kept on lying that the pills aren't available? I mean, if they're not available, then give me back my money so I can purchase the medicine myself. Why charge me for it and still make me buy it with my money?
These and several other things are nowhere to be found, no infrastructure, just bad roads and zero accountability, and that's why I'm asking once again, where is the tax money going?
It's worth noting that I'm not against payment of tax; I know it goes a long way in helping the government sponsor different projects and bring about development to a nation. Besides, it's a civil duty to do so; however, it's frustrating when we're being forced to contribute to the system and get absolutely nothing in return, more like we're donating to a lost cause or something we're not meant to benefit from. It's disheartening and heartbreaking, if I must say; there's a need to be accountable for what the taxes are being used for and to show evidence to the point where we taxpayers can attest to it.
The government has a huge role to play in all this. I know sometimes people put in charge are also responsible for not doing what they ought to do, and that's why we demand transparency and accountability. In a situation where we can trace every single kobo taken from our salaries and what they're spent on, I believe we'll be able to question this fact, call people responsible out, and in the end we'll be able to have a stable power supply, health insurance that actually covers medical bills, hospitals that have quality working equipment, and several other things. Even though it sounds like a dream, which it shouldn't, I know it's possible with the right measures put in place.
In conclusion, I agree that paying tax is important; in fact, it's an avenue for citizens to contribute to nation building, but then in my nation, is that the case? Absolutely not, and is tax taxing? That's a definite yes, and that's why we're crying out for a system that works, leadership whose focus is the betterment of people; only then can we as citizens not feel like paying tax is like pouring water into a basket.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.
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No electricity for 8months. Sincerely that’s worse. I can say.
If possible the government are performing their rights for the tax they impose then i don’t think there would be anyone concerned or bothered about the tax
It's crazy my brother and the government ain't doing anything.
As in ehn... Tax Is so crazy. If you decide to book a flight, the main cost of the ticket could be 60k. But by the time the taxes (2, I think) are added, it would hit 100k+. We pay so much in taxes, and for what? It's just so painful.
That's just ridiculous, I wonder how they spend all those money, top world nations do great things with tax or the people, but reverse is the case down here.
As in, we pay taxes on almost everything, and yet we are still struggling as a Nation. Painful!
The only thing that keeps us moving (Data subscription) has been increased not to favour the masses. Shame 🤔
It's just crazy how everything kept on increasing including the tax and yet nothing is seen to show for it.
Sometimes I can even overlook the corruption going on but you see the healthcare system being a mess, it just frustrates me.
Healthcare is very important in the lives of individuals but our government cares less about that. If they’re sick they just fly to other countries. That should even be a shame to us.
It's a shame that many of them only cares about themselves, even those in charge of those hospital also plays their own corrupt game in the hospital by lying there's no drugs to NHIS patients, so they can sell it to others.
It’s not easy. But let’s hope for the best.
So on point, the tax is taxing, making the very act seem like a scam to us.
The taxes we pay must be well invested in favor of the population, and must be managed appropriately according to the most urgent needs of the population.
When I worked in a school, my salary never come complete
..they remove that same percentage too..a private school oo
Go to the market, those government reps tax market men and women always, but what do we get in return? Poor infrastructure..tax is really taxing