Google to charge Nigerian advertisers 7.5% VAT from April

Google has informed its Nigerian users that the company would charge 7.5% VAT on all taxable goods and services, effective from April 1, 2022.

This was disclosed by Google via email sent to its Nigerian users where it also stated that the amount of VAT charged on purchases will appear as a separate line in the user’s account.

The mail party reads, “Due to new legislation in Nigeria, starting April 1, 2022, Google will be required to charge 7.5% VAT on all taxable goods and services. No action is required on your side with regard to your Google business account.”

Google showed some notable changes to the business account that would affect purchases and invoices.

“The amount of VAT charged on your purchases will appear as a separate line in your account. Your invoice or statement will show the amount of VAT charged,” it said.

Value Added Tax is a levy charged on each stage of production of goods and services to the end-user, usually the final consumer.

Nigerians will also pay 7.5% Value Added Tax on Facebook and Instagram adverts from January 1st, 2022. The social media platform had announced that as a result of the regulation of the Nigerian government, all advertisements on the platform whether for personal or business purposes will be subjected to a 7.5% Value Added Tax.

In the United Kingdom, the law states that “If you are a business making supplies of digital services to UK consumers, those supplies are liable to UK VAT. If you make supplies of digital services to consumers outside the UK these are not liable to UK VAT.”

Indonesia has a similar law with a ten per cent VAT rate for online businesses. The Indonesian provision states that no matter where you are based, you must pay ten per cent VAT if you have customers in Indonesia. Websites, internet service providers, online adverts, and affiliate marketing are all on the list. (Nairametrics)