By Abdulsamad Alamin
The Nigeria Revenue Service on Sunday denied introducing any new vehicle tax, countering a widely circulated online infographic claiming a levy would begin July 1, 2026, and urging Nigerians to disregard the message immediately.
In a statement issued by spokesperson Dare Adekambi, the agency described the circulating material as false and misleading, emphasizing that no new tax policy targeting vehicles has been approved or announced by the federal government.
The viral infographic, which lacks identifiable authorship, instructed private, commercial and corporate vehicle owners to pay an unspecified levy through banks or online channels, creating confusion among motorists already facing rising transportation and compliance costs nationwide.
Adekambi said the message falsely used federal insignia to appear credible, adding that it also directed users to an incorrect government website, reinforcing concerns about coordinated misinformation targeting taxpayers within Nigeria’s evolving digital tax ecosystem.
The agency stated unequivocally that the alleged tax did not originate from any official channel, advising citizens to rely strictly on verified government communications for policy updates and to ignore anonymous or unofficial financial directives circulating online.
The clarification comes amid heightened public sensitivity to fiscal policy changes following Nigeria’s 2026 tax reform rollout, which consolidated multiple levies and introduced a centralized system under the NRS to improve compliance and revenue collection efficiency.
Authorities have projected increased tax revenue targets under the restructured framework, with NRS leadership stating earlier this year that reforms aim to significantly expand collections, intensifying scrutiny around any perceived new charges affecting individuals and businesses.
Separately, government fiscal plans reported by Reuters indicate a proposed environmental levy on high-engine-capacity vehicles starting July 1, a policy distinct from the debunked claim but contributing to public confusion around vehicle-related taxation.
That proposed “green tax,” targeting larger engines with surcharges between 2% and 4%, has drawn public reaction due to concerns over affordability and economic pressure, particularly among middle-income Nigerians dependent on private transportation for work and mobility.
The NRS reiterated that accurate tax information will be communicated through its official platforms, warning that misinformation risks financial exploitation and undermines trust as Nigeria continues implementing wide-ranging fiscal reforms affecting millions of citizens and businesses nationwide.
