Cyprus tax audits scrutinise social media lifestyles and undeclared benefits

Nicosia, Cyprus. Tax audits of prominent social media personalities have found that lifestyles displayed online do not always correspond to declared income, bank deposits or actual wealth. Authorities are also examining whether products, travel and other benefits featured in posts were received in exchange for promotion.

Online material reviewed

The Tax Department collects publicly available photographs, videos and other online material to assess whether visible spending is consistent with declared turnover, profits and income.

Audits have identified cases in which well-known online figures displayed wealth without corresponding income or bank deposits. In some cases, officials found that the apparent prosperity shown in photographs and videos did not reflect financial reality.

Checks expanded in May

The campaign was expanded in May 2026 to include television personalities, media figures and others with a strong commercial presence on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.

The checks cover payments received in cash and through benefits in kind, including products, trips, accommodation and services. These are compared with income tax and VAT declarations.

Possible action over discrepancies

Tax Commissioner Sotiris Markides said that by combining information from several sources, the department had “an almost holistic picture of the tax value of each taxpayer”, allowing it to prioritise cases considered to carry a higher risk of non-compliance.

Individuals whose apparent spending substantially exceeds their declared income can be asked to provide explanations, receipts and other supporting documents. Those unable to justify discrepancies may face additional tax assessments, fines and checks on their bank accounts.

The department’s powers were further strengthened by the 2026 tax reform, which took effect on January 1.