For many young people in this part of the world, paying black tax is one of the responsibilities that comes with getting a job. And, the black tax does not respect the amount you earn, or maybe it’s the billers that don’t.
How does a young Nigerian navigate black taxes, savings, and expenses? I had a chat with Seyi* (name changed for anonymity), whose list of expenses also includes settling a debt, monthly, while taking care of his family, trying to save, and living a comfortable life. He works as a communications officer for a social enterprise while augmenting his monthly income with unstable side hustles.
What do you do and how much do you earn, to start with?
I am a communications officer for this social enterprise, and right now my salary is one hundred and fifty thousand naira. When I joined the company, I came in as a content writer but over time, I got to take on more responsibilities and I was made Communications Officer. What this meant was that my salary went from one hundred and twenty thousand to one hundred and fifty, and I have to head my small team.
Is that all you make in a month?
Well, not exactly, but most times, yes. I try to get little side hustles to add to my income, but they don’t come all the time. To be safe, I imagine myself making just my monthly salary so I don’t start building castles in the air. I’d be willing to take any writing or PR gigs if you have any.
Lol. I hear you. So, the black tax, how far?
That’s a long issue. For me, paying black tax started when I decided to leave home and go out to hustle. That way, the family can spend less on the number of people at home and I can access opportunities to grow my income and take care of my family. Then, there is the actual payment that happens when I send money home. And it doesn’t help that I am the first child.
Let’s go back to the period when you decided to leave home
It wasn’t a big deal, actually. The plan has always been to leave home and go stay with extended family in Lagos after school. But it became an issue when my cousin I was supposed to stay with had issues with work and family. Of course, I could still stay but it would have been awkward, please. The other option was to go back to my mother’s house, and it looked like it. Fortunately, I got a job here in Lagos but it's really far from my cousin’s. So I moved to my current place and I’ve been here since then.
So what does working and earning look like now?
I started working at my current job five months ago. I dropped something for the house rent months ago, the major part is paid by the person I’m staying with and he’s not always around. He got transferred somewhere else recently and only comes home once in a while.
Basically, I have to budget for fuel, food, transportation, and family. What is left goes to my savings, sometimes to get a few things for myself, and to cover emergencies. If I’m being honest, sometimes I wish I don’t have to pay black tax.
Tell me about it.
I have three siblings, a brother and two sisters, and my mum is there as well. I send ten thousand naira to my mum, which feels so awkward for me cause I know she deserves more. For my siblings, it varies. I don’t have a specific amount for them. What I do is prioritize those who have urgent and vital needs at the moment. Plus, my siblings do not even wait till the end of the month before they request for me. They ask whenever they need it, and even though it may not be convenient, I find myself obliging.
Are there times when you do not send to them at all?
Yes. I should mention that there’s also this debt I’m in. At the beginning of the year, my finances became a mess. I took this loan for something I was working on and I’ve been paying back since then. I also had to register for this training at some point and a large chunk of my salary went into it. I had to top up my loan to sustain myself for that month, and now I still have to pay back.
So, lately, it’s been difficult to send something home, but my mum’s allowance stands, even if my siblings do not get.
And your savings?
I just revived my savings after not being able to stack some money away for a while. It’s going slowly, but I’m glad I have something I call savings, at least.
Do you think your finances will be balanced without the black tax?
Not exactly, but there are other things to spend on. It’s the pressure that comes with it I don’t like. I want to get to a point where I can send more money and still have a lot with me. And siblings calling in the middle of the month when all I have is my last 2k? I really want that to change. Getting more side gigs or a better job could help, but I think I just have to get a job with higher pay. Side gigs aren’t that easy to combine with main jobs.
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Are you having a hard time keeping up with your financial goals? You might want to check out articles on finding and launching your side hustle and 48 best side hustle ideas for 2022.