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Rabat – In a move aimed at ensuring fair taxation, the Moroccan government is contemplating the imposition of taxes on income generated by YouTube content creators who have been earning money on the internet without paying any taxes.
Mustapha Baitas, the government spokesperson, made this announcement during a press conference held on May 24, shedding light on the government’s recent efforts to address this issue.
During the press conference, Baitas emphasized that every individual is obligated to pay income tax on the earnings they generate from their activities.
Recognizing the significance of this matter, he stated, “We have begun to seriously consider these measures, and we are currently working on devising an appropriate framework to gather more precise information about the target groups and to streamline this process in the future.”
The government spokesperson assured the public that additional details regarding the implementation of these tax measures would be disclosed in the forthcoming days.
According to reports in Moroccan media, influencers and content creators have been under scrutiny by the General Tax Directorate (DGI) since 2022, as authorities aim to identify cases of underreported income.
To carry out this investigation, the DGI assembled a team of tax auditors tasked with assessing the incomes of undeclared and informal influencers, while also examining the size of their social media followings on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Read also: Survey: 75% of Moroccans Follow Influencers on Social Networks
In order to ensure compliance, Moroccan tax authorities have issued notifications to owners of social media channels, urging them to file their income tax and value-added tax declarations to ensure that all individuals earning income through social media platforms contribute their fair share to the country’s tax revenue.
The decision to tax YouTube content creators has sparked a range of opinions from the public. While many individuals have expressed their approval of this measure, others argue that it may impede the ability of young people to explore alternative employment opportunities on the internet.
The debate surrounding this issue underscores the ongoing discussions surrounding the regulation and taxation of digital activities, as governments worldwide grapple with balancing the need for revenue generation with the preservation of opportunities for digital entrepreneurship.
