Despite extensive research across different modalities, the precise mechanisms of sensory attenuation (SA) remain debated. Our study investigated the underlying mechanisms of SA in the tactile modality, specifically examining self-initiation and temporal predictions within a virtual reality (VR) environment. The VR setup allowed for precise control over sensory feedback in response to movement. Participants (N = 31) engaged in an active condition, moving their hands to elicit a touch. Importantly, visual perception was modified in VR, so that participants touched their rendered – but not physical – hands. The virtual touch triggered a test vibration (intensity: 0.2, 0.35, 0.5, 0.65, 0.8, in a.u.) on the Meta Quest 2 touch controllers. Participants compared the test vibration to a standard stimulus (intensity: 0.5). In the passive condition, vibrations were presented without movement and were preceded by a visual cue. Further, test vibrations appeared either immediately or after a variable onset delay (700 - 800ms). Our results revealed a shift in the point of subjective equality (PSE) – the point at which the test stimulus is perceived as equivalent in intensity to the standard stimulus – depending on whether the stimuli were self-initiated or externally generated. This attenuation effect was most pronounced when self-initiated vibrations were of higher intensity 0.65, 0.8) and occurred immediately after the movement. Our findings highlight the importance of self-initiation on sensory attenuation. Further, the results suggest adaptiveness in the perceived intensity of self-initiated sensory input, with attenuation effects modulated by contextual factors such as signal strength and temporality.