Give to Caesar what you show off on Instagram

Yesterday (June 22, 2016) unconfirmed reports claims that the

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The Linda Ikeji story looked false from a mile away because if it was true what about pop star Davido who loves flossing and flaunting his expensive cars and watches regularly on social media. Something didn't add up in the story and it's good that Linda Ikeji has come out to deny the reports. As the Linda Ikeji story turns out to be untrue it still points a spotlight on celebrities and taxes though.

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No one is saying celebrities shouldn't show off what they have but you better be paying your taxes before sharing photos of your new Range Rover jeep. One day the time will come when you have to give to Caesar what you have been showing off on Instagram.

Nigeria is an extremely materialistic society where it is normal for even an average Nigerian to show off his latest car, latest house or expensive watch. Even in churches, a lot of testimonies are about money and wealth. The only index for progress in Nigeria is the amount of money you have in your bank account and nothing else. So with this mindset, celebrities want to show how far they have come in life and prove to themselves that they are keeping up with the Jones’.

ALSO READ: FIRS shuts down 10 companies for tax default

This has been the prevailing narrative for years now but with the Government looking for funds to run the country tax is now being focused on, and when the government looks around they see our celebrities showing off. Of course they will be first in line.

In America the IRS pick up celebrities who don’t pay their taxes for fun. For the IRS jailing celebrities who are tax defaulters helps let everyone know that no one is above the law. Hundreds of American defaulters have been locked behind bars for not paying their taxes.

In Nigeria the only celebrities attached to a tax evasion story was Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. In April, 2016 it was reported that the star actress had not filed her personal income tax return papers. On April 12, 2016 she exclusively told Pulse that the story was a lie. “That is not correct at all, we will send out a press release very soon. We are working with the government to find out who released that article” she said via her reps.

It’s a time for fiscal responsibility for flashy celebrities. Just think-before you show off how much money you have or your big mansions ask yourselves “I don pay my tax?"