The Indomitable National Youth Congress of the Alternative National Congress (INYC-ANC) has voiced strong opposition to the Liberian government's plan to implement a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT). During a press conference where they presented their First State of the Youth Report 2026, they warned that such a tax would exacerbate existing economic difficulties faced by citizens, including rising inflation, high unemployment rates, and inconsistent access to electricity. The INYC-ANC posits that the VAT will increase living costs without providing any accompanying social benefits, leading to further hardship for ordinary Liberians.

In their critique, the youth organization described this tax proposal as ‘taxation without welfare,’ implying that it removes resources from the poor to benefit those in power, particularly targeting the government led by President Boakai and his affiliates. They argue that the financial burden placed on the populace will not translate into tangible improvements in their daily lives, and they feel that the government's development priorities are misplaced. The youth wing contends that infrastructure progress should be measured by improvements in citizens’ living conditions rather than mere public displays of development machinery.

The broader implications of this criticism highlight a growing discontent among Liberia's youth regarding governmental fiscal policies, especially in light of ongoing economic challenges. As the government pushes forward with its VAT plans, the INYC-ANC's stance indicates a significant divide between political leaders and young citizens. This situation may lead to increased political tension and demand for more balanced and welfare-conscious tax policies that genuinely support the populace’s needs, rather than exacerbating their hardships.