Woman's payslip showing huge commission after basic salary goes viral

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Ongama Bongoza, a sales distributor, shared her payslip on TikTok, revealing she earned in a single month

- Her earnings included a commission, a basic salary and rank bonus, with zero deductions shown

- Questions flooded the comments over the absence of tax and other deductions, prompting followers to weigh in on her contractor status

A young woman sparked widespread online conversation after posting her monthly payslip on TikTok, with the document revealing total earnings of approximately KSh 641,499.

Ongama Bongoza, who works as a Sales Distributor for a skincare company, shared the payslip alongside a mirror selfie showing her holding a red suitcase and a handbag.

Her caption was brief: "Pay slips are out 🥹🥹🔥".

How Ongama Earned the Money

The payslip, issued by her employer Lass Skincare from its address at Unit 40, Kyasands Business Park, Pebble Stone in South Africa, showed that the bulk of Ongama's income came from commissions.

The breakdown listed a commission of KSh 399,584 (R49,552.25) a monthly salary of KSh 80,639 (R10,000), and a rank bonus of KSh 161,278 (R20,000). Her promotion bonus was listed at 0.00, and her total deductions also stood at zero, meaning her net pay matched her gross earnings exactly.

Ongama has been employed with the company since November 18, 2025.

Tax Questions Dominate the Comments

The zero-deduction figure quickly drew attention, with many viewers questioning how she was receiving such a substantial pay cheque without any tax or Unemployment Insurance Fund contributions being withheld.

One commenter was direct about it.

@user667 wrote: "So you don't pay any tax or even UIF as required by the law? Interesting."

Others rushed to clarify the legal reality for workers in her position.

@K Booysen explained: "Those confused about the UIF and PAYE. Based on the payslip, she's a commission earner (Independent Contractor). She's responsible for her own taxes. The only thing that is an issue, there is a basic salary but no UIF deduction. Maybe the wording should have been different."

As an independent contractor rather than a permanent employee, Ongama is responsible for declaring and paying her own taxes directly to the South African Revenue Service, rather than having them deducted at source by her employer.

Not everyone was focused on the tax debate. Some simply celebrated her achievement.

@Mnethifa commented: "Wow, good job."

Ongama's role as a distributor means her income is largely performance-driven, with commissions forming the largest portion of what she takes home each month.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.