This study investigates how perceptions of government responsiveness influence citizen compliance in authoritarian regimes, specifically examining how exposure to information about reported government responsiveness affects individuals’ willingness to pay taxes in China. Results from a survey experiment among prospective Chinese business elites show that respondents exposed to information about improved government responsiveness demonstrated significantly lower tax compliance than those in the control group. Qualitative evidence revealed that respondents often perceived the positive message as state propaganda inconsistent with their personal experiences, potentially triggering backlash. The negative effect was particularly pronounced among low self-monitors. The findings contribute to the literature on the backfire effects of hard propaganda, highlighting how the disconnect between citizens’ lived experiences and pro-regime messaging can undermine policy objectives rather than simply fail to persuade.