Culture Craze
Lasizwe Slams SARS for Targeting Struggling Influencers with Tax in 2025
In a world where content creation is often mistaken for instant fame and fortune, South African digital personality Lasizwe Dambuza is setting the record straight. The 25-year-old YouTuber, entertainer, and host of Awkward Dates has publicly criticised SARS for its decision to crack down on influencers with stricter tax rules, arguing that it unfairly penalises those who are barely scraping by.
While the image of an influencer often conjures up thoughts of gifted holidays and luxury lifestyles, Lasizwe insists the behind-the-scenes grind is much harder than people think.
“We’re Not All Living Soft Lives”
According to Lasizwe, many content creators spend more than they earn just to keep up appearances. Outfits, makeup, transport, and event attendance often come straight out of pocket. Some gigs come with no pay at all, and when there is compensation, it’s not always cash. Think branded goodie bags, skincare hampers, or meal vouchers.
Now, with SARS looking to tax not just monetary earnings but all sponsored perks, many creators are feeling like they’re being punished for trying to build something from scratch.
“It’s ironic,” Lasizwe said, “because no one negotiates the price of bread at a grocery store, but people are quick to negotiate our worth when it comes to content. Then, to make it worse, even a free t-shirt could now be taxed.”
What SARS Says
SARS has made it clear that content creators fall under a unique tax category and that, like all working South Africans, they need to contribute their fair share. The tax authority says it isn’t trying to punish creators but rather bring them into the fold of formal income declaration.
Commissioner Edward Kieswetter confirmed that SARS will be offering educational webinars and toolkits to help influencers navigate their responsibilities. But the message is firm: undeclared income from content creation, brand deals, and gifts will no longer slide under the radar.
This clampdown forms part of SARS’ broader mission to recover over R500 billion in unpaid taxes and hit a R1.84 trillion target by the end of the 2025 financial year. Influencers are just one piece of that puzzle.
The Divide Between Big and Small Creators
For successful creators like Sabelo Hadebe, known online as Sabelo the Kreator, content has been life-changing. His Sunday cleaning and cooking vlogs went viral, landed him brand partnerships, and allowed him to buy a house for his family.
@sabelo_the_kreator♬ original sound – Edzilicious
But Lasizwe argues that most young creators are nowhere near that level. “I really feel for the ones who are trying to make a name, often unpaid, doing what they love in the hopes of getting somewhere, and now they’re being taxed for that hustle.”
@sabelo_the_kreatorHouse material and stores First things first , thank you for helping me grow my community to 200 000.i am excited to see what’s the new year has instore for us . I can’t wait to share my work and talent with you guys . NB : the inspiration for the house was found on Pinterest, I had created a vision board for how I would like the house to look like. CTM Tiles including the kitchen , sitting room and bathroom , sinks , bathroom sinks , Bathroom taps , shower heads , toilet sits , flusher , bathtap Builders Plants and flowers Blocks Wooden floors Paint / including exterior Blinds , doors / interior and exterior Window Window frames Payevenf Lights and electrical devices my Roof tiles , all the roof materials Garage door , kitchen door Cement Labour Unfortunately we can’t share the contacts of the people we worked with due to security reasons . Shimney Leroy Merlin House plan I also can’t share the house plan but I would suggest you get a builder who can do this for , just tell them what you want and they will draw it for you. Thank you
A Call for Support, Not Just Compliance
Lasizwe’s core message isn’t anti-tax. It’s pro-creator. He’s asking that SARS and government stakeholders take a more compassionate approach: one that creates pathways for support and mentorship before cracking the whip on earnings.
“If we’re going to talk tax, we should also be talking about how we’re helping this generation of creatives to turn their passion into sustainable businesses,” he said.
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), responses have been mixed. Some agree that “tax is tax,” regardless of the job. Others, especially up-and-coming creators, have echoed Lasizwe’s concerns, saying they already feel undervalued and underpaid, and now overwhelmed.
What It All Means for Creators in SA
South Africa’s creative economy is still young and fast-evolving. While there’s no denying that some influencers are cashing in, many others are simply hoping for a foot in the door. The risk now is that tax enforcement, without the right support structure, may discourage new talent from pursuing the content space at all.
Lasizwe’s challenge to SARS isn’t about avoiding the rules; it’s about rethinking how we treat creativity in a country that needs every possible avenue for youth employment and expression.
Because in the end, not every influencer is an overnight success. And not every freebie is a windfall.
Also read: Tyla Claims Second MTV VMA and Hints at ‘Hot’ New Album
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Source: IOL
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