Creators Threaten to Skip Taxes If TikTok Faces a Ban in the US

New York: TikTok creators are feeling the heat as a potential ban looms over the app. Many are worried about losing their income and are making bold statements about taxes. Some creators, like Spencer Hudson, have said they won’t pay taxes if TikTok is banned.

Hudson, who earned money from TikTok last year, feels that if the app disappears, he won’t be filing taxes this year. He argues that it’s unfair to demand taxes when his job is taken away.

The situation is serious. TikTok supports a lot of jobs in the US and contributes significantly to the economy. If the app goes dark on January 19, many small business owners fear for their livelihoods.

Creators are also concerned about losing access to important tax documents. Patricia Walker expressed her frustration, saying, “What taxes? Uncle Sam, I’m sorry to tell you this, but what money?”

Senator Ed Markey is trying to help by proposing a bill to extend the deadline for TikTok. He acknowledges the app has issues but emphasizes the high stakes for millions of Americans who rely on it for income and social connections.

An Oxford Economics report highlights TikTok’s impact, showing it supports 224,000 jobs and contributed $24.2 billion to the GDP in 2023. As the ban approaches, creators are exploring other platforms like Lemon8 and RedNote to keep their businesses alive.