Black tax
🇿🇦
South Africa
Added August 02, 2025
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A modern term describing the financial support that black professionals give to family from their income. Black tax is not an actual tax, but the expectation to uplift one's extended family (paying parents' bills, siblings' fees, etc.) once you start earning.
"I earn R20k but with black tax I can only save a little. (English, meaning "I earn R20,000, but due to supporting family, I can only save a small amount.")"
A term for the financial support that black professionals are expected to provide to their extended family once they become successful. Black tax is not an actual tax, but a social obligation arising from inequality – helping parents, siblings, etc., often at personal expense.
"She earns well, but black tax takes a lot – she pays her siblings' school fees and supports her parents. (Meaning: She earns a good salary, but a large portion goes to supporting her family members financially.)"
Kusaidia familia (Supporting family)
"Black tax imenimaliza (Black tax has finished me)"
Ho thusa lelapa / Boikarabelo ba malapa (To help family / Family responsibility)
"Black tax e boima! (Black tax is heavy!)"
Family financial support (Relative assistance)
"Black tax is heavy! (Supporting family financially is demanding!)"
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