Lagos Taxpayer Laments Heavy March Deductions as New Tax Laws Impact Monthly Salaries

A Nigerian professional shares his shock over high taxes paid to Lagos State in March 2026. Read how the new tax laws are impacting monthly take-home pay.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 7:42 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Legit.ng

Viral Lamentation Over March Deductions

A Lagos-based professional has sparked a social media debate after revealing the "huge" amount of tax deducted from his earnings for the month of March 2026. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the user @Purpleworldinc shared evidence of the deduction to prove he wasn't exaggerating during a prior discussion about net pay. "Like what is this tax that was paid on my head for the month of March? Just one month tax ooo," he wrote, expressing disbelief at the specific figure taken by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.

Revenue Generation Under New Laws

The taxpayer's post emphasized the sheer volume of revenue the Lagos State Government is likely generating through personal income tax. He remarked on the scale of collection, questioning how much his take-home pay was truly worth after such a significant portion was removed. "Lagos State is really making money on tax o, imagine what they are collecting on me alone," he added. The viral screenshot has led many followers to scrutinize their own payslips as the impact of the new tax laws becomes more apparent in bank balances.

Anxiety Over 2026 Tax Burden

The incident follows a trend of Nigerians expressing anxiety over fiscal changes. Recently, another individual voiced concerns that high transaction volumes in 2025 might lead to an even higher tax assessment in 2026, despite having a low closing balance. While some users have discovered app features—such as ₦9,999 transfer limits—to potentially avoid certain charges, the direct deduction of income tax remains a point of contention for formal sector employees who see their purchasing power diminished.