A vehicle tailgate lift assist support structure is disclosed that includes a vehicle rear end structure, a vehicle tailgate and a lift assist device. The vehicle rear end structure includes first and second walls that extend generally perpendicular to one another. A hinge reinforcement bracket has first and second reinforcing parts. The first reinforcing part is fastened on the first wall and the second reinforcing part is fastened on the second wall. A vehicle tailgate is pivotally coupled to the hinge reinforcement bracket and the rear end structure to open and close by rotation about a tailgate pivot axis. A lift assist device is operably connected to the tailgate hinge and the vehicle rear end structure to dampen opening movement and to apply a closing torque to tailgate hinge during closing movement of the vehicle tailgate.