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1 – 10 of over 6000Nor Azrina Mohd Yusof, Lai Ming Ling and Yap Bee Wah
The pervasiveness of tax non-compliance remains a serious concern to most tax authorities around the world. The negative impact of tax non-compliance on the economy and the…
Abstract
Purpose
The pervasiveness of tax non-compliance remains a serious concern to most tax authorities around the world. The negative impact of tax non-compliance on the economy and the evolving nature of the Malaysian corporate tax system have motivated this study. The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of corporate tax non-compliance among small-and-medium-sized corporations (SMCs) in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used economic deterrence theory to analyze and test 375 tax-audited cases finalized by the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia in 2011.
Findings
Multiple regression results revealed that marginal tax rate, company size and types of industry exerted significant effects on corporate tax non-compliance. The services and construction industries were noted to be the predominant industries engaged in tax non-compliance. The amount of concealed income unearthed during tax audit indicates clearly that there is widespread tax non-compliance in Malaysia and the quantum of tax lost through tax non-compliance is quite high.
Research limitations/implications
This study only sampled SMCs audited in 2011, hence, care has been exercised in generalizing the findings.
Practical implications
This study affirms that marginal tax rate, company size and types of industry are the main factors influencing compliance behavior of SMCs. The findings provide important insights not only to the Malaysian tax authority, but also to tax authorities and tax researchers in other parts of the world given that tax non-compliance of SMCs is a prevalent and universal problem. For example, with regard to the finding that marginal tax rate and company size are linked to non-compliance, it can be surmised that tax authorities ought to divert resources to firms with such characteristics when conducting audits.
Originality/value
Most tax research tax examining corporate tax non-compliance used financial data from annual reports to predict tax non-compliance, which are not very accurate. This study used actual tax audit cases obtained from the tax authority which are reflective of the actual situation. This study complements the scant existing literature by empirically evaluating the factors that influenced corporate tax non-compliance in a developing country like Malaysia.
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– This paper aims to examine areas of tax difficulties encountered by corporate taxpayers in complying with tax obligations under the self-assessment system.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine areas of tax difficulties encountered by corporate taxpayers in complying with tax obligations under the self-assessment system.
Design/methodology/approach
A two-phase exploratory mixed methods approach was employed. The first phase involves eight focus group interviews with 60 tax auditors from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) and the second phase adopts a mixed-mode survey among selected Malaysian corporate taxpayers. Thematic analysis and descriptive and inferential analysis were used to examine the qualitative and quantitative data in achieving the objective.
Findings
Three dimensions of tax complexity encountered by corporate taxpayers were tax computations, record keeping and tax ambiguity. The first two complexity dimensions were faced largely by smaller companies. On the other hand, the least difficult tax-related areas were dealing with tax agents, submitting tax returns within the given time and dealing with the tax authority.
Practical implications
In a tax policy context, this study enables international tax authorities in general, and Malaysian tax authority in particular, to have greater confidence in developing and administering tax laws and policies to maintain and/or increase the overall level of corporate tax compliance.
Originality/value
Unlike prior studies that mainly used individual taxpayers or students as research participants, this study employed corporate tax auditors from the tax authority and corporate tax officers. Tax auditors and corporate taxpayers provide invaluable insights into the possible determinants of compliance variables. These insights are based on their practical experience in handling corporate tax audits and managing corporate tax matters, respectively.
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A. Loh, M. Ariff, Z. Ismail, M. Shamsher and M. Ali
This is the first report on estimates of tax compliance costs of Malaysian companies. Compliance cost is an unavoidable cost of doing business and arises from activities…
Abstract
This is the first report on estimates of tax compliance costs of Malaysian companies. Compliance cost is an unavoidable cost of doing business and arises from activities associated with the reporting of income for tax purpose. The average compliance cost per company was estimated to be RM68,836, which is RM0.26 per RM 1,000 sales turnover. Sixty‐one percent of compliance cost was incurred in computation‐related activities and 39 percent in tax planning activities. Measured relative to revenue, the compliance cost is higher for smaller companies than for larger companies, which suggests that compliance cost is regressive, a finding similar to those reported in other countries.
Theresia Woro Damayanti and Supramono Supramono
The study aims to empirically analyze the effects of the presence of female top managers and owners on corporate tax compliance.
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to empirically analyze the effects of the presence of female top managers and owners on corporate tax compliance.
Design/methodology/approach
Data for analysis were sourced from the World Bank Enterprise Surveys that involved 23,178 private firms in 98 countries. The surveys used a stratified random sampling method by using three criteria, namely, firm size, business sector and geographic region, within each country. Further, data are analyzed using the ordinal logistic regression and supported by the marginal effect analysis.
Findings
The results show that the presence of female top managers and owners is a significant factor that underlies the firm-level tax compliance difference when firms exhibit relatively lower compliance.
Practical implications
Although this study shows that the determinants of corporate tax compliance are very complex, there are also crucial roles of top managers and owners' gender. This study advises firms to use the gender equality strategy to generate the best human capital, especially in their top management levels. Besides, this study can be helpful in designing policies that facilitate women to reach top managerial levels or to own businesses as an alternative method to enhance tax compliance for developing countries that fail to generate optimal corporate income tax revenues.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no previous studies examine the effects of the presence of female top managers and business owners on firms’ tax compliance policies. This study contributes to extend the understanding of the important role of women in corporate strategic decision-making, especially in taxation policies in various developing countries.
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María Jesús Delgado-Rodríguez and Sonia De Lucas-Santos
This study aims to analyze whether tax compliance is the basis for the short-run dynamics of the development of welfare and happiness. The strengthening of tax compliance of…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze whether tax compliance is the basis for the short-run dynamics of the development of welfare and happiness. The strengthening of tax compliance of corporates and citizens is not only important to achieve the goals assumed by fiscal policy but also is part of the values that can generate a higher level of welfare and happiness in Europe.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a dynamic factor model to offer new indexes that allow to monitor tax compliance, public spending and happiness trajectories and to evaluate their short-run relationships. Next, an analysis of the cyclical characteristics in terms of duration, amplitude and intensity is provided using the Harding and Pagan method (2002).
Findings
The empirical findings show that the European countries were able to reinforce tax compliance during the expansionary periods of the economy, and this has made it possible to increase public spending, and indirectly, happiness. Otherwise, this paper shows that the contractions of public resources during the global crisis, such as the case in the COVID-19, reduced the possibilities of well-being in Europe and made it more difficult to increase public spending and happiness.
Research limitations/implications
This study tries to analyze the transmission channels and relationships of three very complex variables: tax compliance, public spending and happiness. Incorporating these three variables into this research, with a short-run perspective, the authors have opened a new line of research that enriched the previous analysis. Therefore, the authors’ results should be considered the first step, that this study is going to continue to unravel the complexity of these relationships.
Practical implications
The design of policies aimed at improving individual, corporate and the well-being of nations needs them to incorporate elements of tax compliance as an objective that has economic and social implications. Individuals and corporates contribute to a fairer and more equitable society through compliance with tax obligations.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first paper that offers evidence on the short-run dynamics of tax revenue, public spending and happiness for a better understanding of their relationships and behavior during the different periods of the economy.
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Nor Azrina Mohd Yusof and Ming Ling Lai
– This paper aims to present an integrative model in predicting corporate tax fraud.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present an integrative model in predicting corporate tax fraud.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is grounded on three theories, namely, the theory of reasoned action, theory of planned behaviour and the “Fraud Diamond Theory”.
Findings
By integrating these three theories, this paper proposes that individual cognitive factors, fraud diamond factors and organizational factors such as normative and control factors influence managers to commit corporate tax fraud.
Practical implications
Practically, the proposed integrative model enables the government and tax authority to understand on why corporate managers engage in corporate tax fraud. It will also allow them to devise practical methods and strategies to prevent the corporate managers to engage in tax fraud.
Originality/value
This study has merit that proposed an integrative model in predicting corporate tax fraud. Research on corporate tax fraud has been the subject of limited investigation; hence, this study contributes to the tax compliance literature by proposing an integrative model to study corporate tax fraud in a Malaysian tax setting. Future studies can be conducted to test the proposed integrative model in examining the circumstances of managers’ intention to commit corporate tax fraud.
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To answer the following research questions: (1) What is the tax burden, on average, as a percentage of the generated revenues of companies in BiH? (2) Are there differences in the…
Abstract
Purpose
To answer the following research questions: (1) What is the tax burden, on average, as a percentage of the generated revenues of companies in BiH? (2) Are there differences in the load level in relation to: (a) company size, (b) company location, (c) company age, (d) hiring of tax advisors and other external consultants on CIT issues and (e) company business activity.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to answer the research questions asked, quantitative analysis of primary data purposefully collected for this research will be used. The empirical part of the paper relies on the collection of primary data through survey using the method of stratified random sampling from the population of SMEs enterprises registered in BiH focusing only on FBIH and the RS. Regression analysis (OLS model) was used to estimate results.
Findings
Average share of tax compliance costs in SME revenues is 8.3%. Tax compliance costs are regressive, dependent on company age, location and business activity as well as on whether companies hire external consultants.
Research limitations/implications
The chosen research method is a telephone survey, with the aim of encouraging respondents to give answers to the questions asked, using experienced interviewers from the market research agency. However, the use of this method is not without limitations, and they refer to the time-limited duration of telephone interviews that require shorter questions, and pre-prepared answer options to make it easier for respondents to give answers. One of the challenges is the fact that most respondents do not want to talk to strangers over the phone and answer unknown numbers. This risk was especially pronounced because the topic of the research is related to CIT, so many respondents expressed doubts about the purpose of the question, refusing to provide accurate data. This risk was mitigated by asking questions to include certain scales in terms of income, number of employees and gross wages, to make respondents feel free to share this type of sensitive data with interviewers.
Practical implications
First, the analysis of this paper showed that specific, identified factors contribute to, or directly affect, the level of the tax compliance costs of corporate income tax in BiH. Second, there is currently no comprehensive analysis of the tax burden in BiH in the literature that would quantify the tax compliance costs, both at the BiH level and at the entity level. Based on the aforementioned, it is necessary to design a fiscal policy in such a way as to eliminate or, in cases where this is not possible, reduce the tax burden on the private sector in general. Based on the data collected in this research, fiscal policy should pay special attention to the tax treatment of start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises and enterprises operating in services and other sectors by introducing tax incentives that will be of a general nature and that will be applicable to multiple activities and categories of enterprises, in order to eliminate the current negative effects of existing incentives aimed at predefined categories. Finally, it would be necessary to consider the possibility of closer and more extensive harmonization of entity tax laws, in accordance with international practices and accounting standards - in order to reduce the difference in burden primarily between entities, which would facilitate foreign investors and contribute to increased competitiveness in the domestic, regional and ultimately the global market. It would be desirable to use harmonization as a tool in support of promoting the competitiveness of the country in order to attract and maintain the level of foreign direct investment.
Originality/value
There is currently no comprehensive analysis of the tax burden in BiH in the literature that would quantify the tax compliance costs, both at the BiH level and at the entity level.
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The purpose of the paper is to examine current companies’ compliance with value-added tax (VAT) and the evolving role of the compliance officer in the listed companies at Muscat…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to examine current companies’ compliance with value-added tax (VAT) and the evolving role of the compliance officer in the listed companies at Muscat Stock Exchange (MSX), Oman.
Design/methodology/approach
The study has collected various compliance measures set by Capital Market Authority (CMA) from 2011 to 2019. On top of the websites of CMA, MSX, Oman Tax Authority and other related websites, the paper has considered real data of specific compliance or disclosure measures set by CMA on all companies listed under MSX. The focused period from 2011 to 2019 is where CMA has provided disclosure data as part of mandatory disclosure requirements.
Findings
This paper identified that there is a lack of timely compliance by companies under the existing law, and these companies may face pressures for compliance with VAT enforcement in Oman. Therefore, to comply with the disclosure requirements of listed companies, there is a growing need to appoint a full-time compliance officer and do a compliance audit.
Practical limitations/implications
The results of the study indicate the value of full-time compliance officers and compliance audits. The findings are able to aid in the appraisal of VAT accounting, compliance audit research, and in the selection of proper assessment methods and criteria.
Originality/value
This paper reviews the literature and provides new empirical analysis that are possibly beneficial for both scholars and accounting practitioners.
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Ahmed Boussaidi and Mounira Hamed-Sidhom
This study sheds light on the determinants related to the corporate board of directors and the firms’ ownership nature of tax aggressiveness strategies of Tunisian listed firms…
Abstract
Purpose
This study sheds light on the determinants related to the corporate board of directors and the firms’ ownership nature of tax aggressiveness strategies of Tunisian listed firms and what could be their effect on its level in a postrevolution context.
Design/methodology/approach
Our research considers only nonfinancial firms listed in the Tunisian stock exchange during the 2011–2017 period. It is based on unbalanced panel data.
Findings
Findings suggest that women presence on the corporate board, CEO duality, the managerial and institutional ownership regularize significantly the level and the management's behavior of engagement in tax aggressiveness practices and reduce the firm’s overall risks of its consequences in terms of tax positions stability.
Research limitations/implications
Our investigation considers only nonfinancial firms to avoid noisy results and for the significant differences between accounting standards within financial and nonfinancial firms, besides sample homogeneity and comparability considerations.
Practical implications
This study provides evidence that some governance mechanisms, even reasonably dedicated to consider the risk of tax aggressiveness and to prevent its consequences, have a paradoxical effect and amplify the tax aggressiveness’ level rather than defending the firm’s viability and its financial stability. It offers signals to managers about specific governance attributes that strengthen and/or control the extent of tax aggressive strategies.
Social implications
This research gives a particular road map for society, investors and practitioners to depict the firms’ level of tax aggressiveness and especially to understand its attributes related to the corporate board of directors and the ownership's nature through evidences from a postrevolution context.
Originality/value
Our research contributes to prior literature by examining the effect of corporate board characteristics and different ownership natures on the extent of tax aggressiveness during and after the revolution period in Tunisia and confirms and infers some prior findings of tax aggressive determinants in underdevelopment context.
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Azhar Mohamad, Mohd Hasrol Zakaria and Zarinah Hamid
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between tax evasion and certain demographic factors such as location, engagement of tax agent, size and type of small…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between tax evasion and certain demographic factors such as location, engagement of tax agent, size and type of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) industry in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, using proprietary tax audit data from the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) on the 2011 tax returns of SMEs, the authors run a multiple regression analysis to examine the impact of location, agent, type of industry, size of enterprise and type of tax evasion on SMEs’ tax evasion in Malaysia.
Findings
The authors find that tax evasion among SMEs in Malaysia is the highest when the business is located in a suburban environment and has no tax agent. Tax evasion is also influenced by the size of the SME (micro or medium).
Originality/value
This study gives insight that the IRBM can use to aid its collection department in profiling SMEs that have a higher tendency to evade paying tax.
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