Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, don tell content creators, influencers, digital entrepreneurs and creative business owners say make dem formalise dia business, get Tax ID and keep correct financial records. Di agency give di advice during one tax policy discussion for Creative Africa Nexus Weekend 2026 wey hold for Lagos.
NRS tok say di message no be only about paying tax. According to di agency, business registration and proper records fit help creative people access tax incentives, attract investors, win corporate contracts and build sustainable business.
Simeon Onyegbula, wey be Assistant Director for NRS Field Operation Monitoring Department, yarn say business registration, Tax ID and proper financial records dey important. E explain say entrepreneurs must keep invoices, receipts, ledgers and other financial documents wey go show dia real business income and expenses.
Kazeem Lawal, wey be Assistant Director of Tax for NRS, also warn say creators wey dey earn substantial money through social media and digital platforms but dey run everything through personal accounts fit limit dia commercial opportunities. Di agency explain say formalisation gives business clearer identity, improves credibility and opens door to investors, corporate contracts and expansion.
Di NRS also make am clear say income wey content creators and influencers earn from business or professional activities fit attract tax under Nigeria law. Di 2026 Personal Income Tax Guidelines recognise income wey content creators, influencers and other digital income earners make as taxable income from trade, business, profession or vocation. So making money online no mean automatic exemption from tax. But di tax treatment still depend on nature of di income, di taxpayer circumstances and di tax provisions wey apply.
For creators wey dey earn from brand partnerships, advertising, social media platforms, subscriptions and other digital activities, NRS say formal business and records go help dem benefit from applicable tax incentives and opportunities. Di agency also point to tax reliefs for qualifying businesses, as e urge creators to move from informal operation and personal accounts to proper business records.
