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1 – 10 of 517Nasir Sultan, Norazida Mohamed and Dildar Hussain
Tax amnesty (TA) schemes are typical in developing countries. Governments’ claims and suppositions are continually heightened; however, this may differ in actuality. This study…
Abstract
Purpose
Tax amnesty (TA) schemes are typical in developing countries. Governments’ claims and suppositions are continually heightened; however, this may differ in actuality. This study aims to present an overview of the effectiveness of TA schemes and the problems they raise in implementing anti-money laundering regulations.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a qualitative research design. Content analysis was used to analyse research articles, reports, legal documents and news articles.
Findings
Every amnesty offered in Pakistan from 1956 to 2018 failed to meet government expectations. Instead, the continuity resulted in an irrepressible black economy. The black economy’s uncontrollability undermines tax collection and hinders a robust anti-money laundering regime. Significantly, tax holidays with discrepant legislation strengthen evaders, plunderers and launderers. These policies severely impede the implementation of anti-money laundering policies in the financial institutions of Pakistan. Additionally, Pakistan's geopolitical location, circumstance and war against terror cannot afford any policy that provides monetary relaxation to offenders.
Practical implications
There is no concrete evidence to support long-term economic progress through the implementation of amnesty schemes as a revenue collection policy. This study evaluates previous studies and findings to understand the effect of tax amnesties on the financial industry of Pakistan. The findings have practical implications for tax collection authorities, policymakers and international financial bodies.
Originality/value
Previous studies have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of Pakistan’s regular tax amnesties. However, this study discusses the implementation of TA schemes concerning anti-money laundering regulations and customer due diligence by financial institutes and provides suggestions to minimise its negative implications.
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Dilip Kumar Sen and Swapan Kumar Bala
The present paper is a brief study on the modus operandi of the existing income tax audit in Bangladesh. This study centres around: meaning of tax audit; need for tax audit;…
Abstract
The present paper is a brief study on the modus operandi of the existing income tax audit in Bangladesh. This study centres around: meaning of tax audit; need for tax audit; certain conceptual issues of tax audit; existing scenario of tax audit in Bangladesh, focusing on tax system, tax audit practice, tax audit ambit, tax auditor, tax audit report, existing extent of assessment under tax audit net; and then draws a concluding line with a few recommendations. The paper reflects that the present extent of tax audit practice of Bangladesh is extremely negligible. This paper’s policy prescriptions, if followed, will hopefully provide a great boost in expanding tax audit net, which is much needed for improvement of the internal resource mobilisation in the country.
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Since 1995, the financial reports of New Zealand entities have been legally required to disclose a measure of comprehensive income known as Total Recognised Revenues and Expenses…
Abstract
Since 1995, the financial reports of New Zealand entities have been legally required to disclose a measure of comprehensive income known as Total Recognised Revenues and Expenses (TRRE). Financial analysts and members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand were surveyed between 1994 and 1996 to investigate their views on whether TRRE is useful for financial analysis, making economic decisions, and whether it is a useful addition to the financial reports. The findings provided a reasonable level of support for the view that TRRE is useful for financial analysis, such as assessing return on investment. However, there were strong reservations over whether it is useful to use TRRE as a basis for determining remuneration packages for top management, or for predicting cash flows. Overall, there was strong support for the view that TRRE provides information that assists with making economic decisions, and that it is a useful addition to the financial reports.
Attiya Waris and Laila Abdul Latif
The article aims to rely on the global wealth chains theory to study the effect of tax amnesty on anti-money laundering (AML) in Bangladesh. This theory is an analytical framework…
Abstract
Purpose
The article aims to rely on the global wealth chains theory to study the effect of tax amnesty on anti-money laundering (AML) in Bangladesh. This theory is an analytical framework intended to identify how wealth is repackaged and disguised to move it out of spheres of state oversight, regulation and taxation. It introduces the law on AML in Bangladesh, pointing out the revised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendation that has expanded the scope of money laundering predicate offences to cover both indirect and direct tax crimes and smuggling in relation to customs and excise duties and taxes.
Design/methodology/approach
Interviews in Bangladesh and desk research.
Findings
There are some gaps in the scope of the offence, the coverage of predicate offences and the types of property covered by the money laundering offence. There is also an absence of financial penalties available to effectively sanction legal persons. The current money laundering offences are derived from the ordinance issued in 2008 by the caretaker government (2006-2008). The current act contains detailed definitions of money laundering and property and a list of predicate offences and sanctions for the offence. However, there are some gaps in the physical elements of the offence, and the range of its predicate offences remains too narrow. Adding tax evasion to its list of predicate offences will, given the history of money laundering in Bangladesh, aid in combating illegal transfer of assets abroad and recovery of the same and abolish tax amnesty.
Originality/value
There is no paper that has analysed the linkages between money laundering and taxation in developing countries, especially Bangladesh.
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Waliya Gwokyalya, Ibrahim Mike Okumu and Solomon Rukundo
This paper aims to analyse how the law on income taxation of small businesses in Uganda has evolved from the pre-colonial to the present day.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to analyse how the law on income taxation of small businesses in Uganda has evolved from the pre-colonial to the present day.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used doctrinal legal research based on existing documentation on empirical research from Ugandan laws, institutional writings, books and journal articles.
Findings
The study established that there has been various promulgations and amendment of the law on income taxation of small businesses geared at simplifying the law, expanding the tax base and improving the tax yield from this sector. However, the law still bears limitations, some of which have existed from way back before the current legal regime on presumptive tax. Thus, the income tax yield from small businesses continues to be low over the years. It posits that it is not clear whether small business owners understand the legislations on presumptive income tax to enable us to determine with certainty that further amendments have the potential of enhancing an increased tax yield, which has not been attained over the years.
Originality/value
Limited work has been undertaken on the historical development of the income taxation of small businesses in a developing country like Uganda. This study provides an initial synthesis of the literature on the evolution of income tax laws for small businesses in an economy that had been earlier neglected by scholars.
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Available zakat accounting standards as well as the laws governing business zakat suggest that the adjusted net working capital or the adjusted growth capital of a business may be…
Abstract
Purpose
Available zakat accounting standards as well as the laws governing business zakat suggest that the adjusted net working capital or the adjusted growth capital of a business may be regarded as the base for computation of its zakat liability. The apparent consensus follows from the fiqhi prescription of imposing zakat on urud al-tijarah or the inventory of goods available for trade. Some contemporary scholars however question the rationale underlying this method and argue that the objectives of the Shariah are better met by seeking recourse to alternative methods of zakat determination for business organizations. There is therefore a need to revisit the issues and subject them to fresh scrutiny in terms of economic rationality and consistency.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper examines the arguments of the “orthodox” school as well as those of some contemporary scholars on alternative methods of computing business zakat. It also undertakes a comprehensive review of the laws of zakat as they are related to businesses and the related accounting pronouncements along with their underlying rationale. As the issue of incentivizing zakat payment is an important one, and it is often linked to provision of tax benefits, the paper examines a few suggestions in this regard.
Findings
On examination of specific suggestions – specifically, of treating earnings as zakat base – to scrutiny in terms of economic rationality and consistency, the authors argue that the “orthodox” position is not only consistent but also makes enormous economic sense. Further, the issue of incentivizing zakat payment and that of lack of harmonization between business zakat accounting and taxation need not be and should not be resolved by making changes in the former because the same has a sound Shariah basis. It can be easily resolved, if need be, by making changes in methods of taxation (tax deduction or tax rebate) and base them on specific items in the balance sheet or the income statement.
Practical implications
The paper provides useful insights to policy makers who are concerned about the huge gap between actual and potential collection of zakat and are considering tax reforms for incentivizing business zakat mobilization. It highlights the diversity in practices relating to zakat computation and related taxation across Muslim countries.
Originality/value
The paper searches for and observes consistency and compatibility between the orthodox Shariah-legal position and several accounting and taxation-related policies relating to business zakat. The policy prescriptions are expected to rejuvenate and strengthen the global zakat sector.
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The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that granting general amnesty to thousands of black-money holders in Bangladesh has failed to make any positive impact on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to demonstrate that granting general amnesty to thousands of black-money holders in Bangladesh has failed to make any positive impact on the development of its securities market. Rather, such a move or mercy by the successive governments over the years has basically increased corruption in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
The article relies on both primary and secondary materials. An archival analysis of the materials has been carried out in this research.
Findings
The major findings are that whitening black money is legally flawed, morally indefensible and economically unsound; the ultimate outcome of the whitening opportunity appears to be the protection of corruption, the prevention of which is imperative for the sustainable development of the national economy of Bangladesh; and no credible evidence has been found to support the underlying assumption that this immunity offered over the past four decades has benefited the economy.
Originality/value
Its originality is evident in the analysis of the materials in a cohesive way to prove a hypothesis that the immunity granted to the black-money holders has been a flawed initiative of the successive governments of Bangladesh to increase investment.
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Muhammad Usman and Asmak Ab Rahman
This paper aims to study waqf practice in Pakistan with regard to its utilisation in funding for higher educational institutions (HEIs) and investigates waqf raising, waqf…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to study waqf practice in Pakistan with regard to its utilisation in funding for higher educational institutions (HEIs) and investigates waqf raising, waqf management and waqf income utilisation.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on the views of 11 participants who are actively involved in the waqf, its raising, management and income utilisation, and is divided into three subcategories: personnel of higher educational waqf institution, personnel of waqf regulatory bodies and Shari’ah and legal experts as well as archival records, documents and library sources.
Findings
In Pakistan, both public and private awqaf are existing, but the role of private awqaf is greater in higher education funding. However, due to lack of legal supervision private awqaf is considered as a part of the not-for-profit sector and legitimately registered as a society, foundation, trust or a private limited company. Waqf in Pakistan is more focusing on internal financial sources and waqf income. In terms of waqf management, they have firm guidelines for investing in real estate, the Islamic financial sector and various halal businesses. Waqf uses the income for developmental and operational expenditure, and supports academic activities for students and staff. Waqfs are also supporting some other HEIs and research agencies. Thus, it can be revealed that a waqf can cater a sufficient amount for funding higher educational institutions.
Research limitations/implications
In Pakistan, both public and private awqaf are equally serving society in different sectors, but the role of private awqaf is much greater in funding higher education. Nevertheless, the government treats private awqaf as a part of not-for-profit sector in the absence of a specific legal framework and registers such organisations as society, foundation, trust or private limited company. The waqf in Pakistan mostly relies on internal financial resources and income from waqf assets. As the waqf managers have over the time evolved firm guidelines for investment in real estate, Islamic financial sector and various other halal businesses, and utilisation of waqf income on developmental and operational expenditures, academic activities of students and educational staff, other HEIs and research agencies, it can be proved that the waqf can potentially generate sufficient amount for funding HEIs.
Practical implications
The study presents the waqf as a social finance institution and the best alternative fiscal instrument for funding works of public good, including higher education, with the help of three selected waqf cases. Hence, the paper’s findings offer some generalisations, both for the ummah at large and Pakistan.
Social implications
The paper makes several policy recommendations for policymakers, legislators and academicians, especially the government. As an Islamic social finance institution, the waqf can help finance higher education anywhere around the world in view of the fact that most countries grapple with huge fiscal deficits and are hence financially constrained to meet growing needs of HEIs.
Originality/value
The study confirms that the waqf can be an alternative source for funding higher education institutions whether it is managed by the government or is privately controlled.
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Theodora Aba Kwegyeba Brown, Godfred A. Bokpin and Emmanuel Sarpong-Kumankoma
This study aims to determine how taxes can be used to bridge income inequality gap in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine how taxes can be used to bridge income inequality gap in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
Design/methodology/approach
A panel data set of 36 SSA countries was analysed using generalised method of moments.
Findings
The results suggest that an increase in direct taxes relative to indirect taxes has a positive significant impact on income inequality. This is mostly due to the progressive nature of direct taxes as compared to indirect taxes.
Originality/value
This research contributes to the scant literature on how specific tax components affect income inequality, especially in developing countries.
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The main purpose of this paper is to critically examine the impact of black money whitening opportunity on the Bangladesh housing market and its ramifications for honest taxpayers…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to critically examine the impact of black money whitening opportunity on the Bangladesh housing market and its ramifications for honest taxpayers and criminal conduct of the people in the country.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper relies on both primary and secondary materials and carries out an archival analysis of the resources available in libraries and online databases.
Findings
It demonstrates that black money whitening opportunity has failed to create additional demands for housing property, rather it encourages money laundering, corruption and other criminal activities. Hence, a set of specific recommendations have been submitted to effectively deal with the prevention of generation of black money instead of allowing them to be invested in properties with impunity.
Research limitations/implications
The discussions are concentrated on the legality of offering amnesty to black money holders and the impact of such indemnities on the housing market in Bangladesh; hence, it does not consider impacts on other economic sectors. It is expected that the publication of this paper will stimulate the government of Bangladesh to discontinue the disputed amnesty in Bangladesh, and other nations having similar problems with black money will be encouraged to follow suit.
Practical implications
It is anticipated that the implementation of the recommendations furnished in this paper will contribute to significantly decreasing money laundering, corruption and other offences involving money in Bangladesh and in other countries.
Social implications
Prevention of corruption and other financial crimes.
Originality/value
This paper represents its originality in its critical analysis of frequent offerings of the opportunity for whitening black money and their unfair impacts on honest taxpayers and resultant stimulation for engaging in money laundering, corruption and other felonies. It evidently justifies the assumption that such amnesties to wrongdoers are contrary to the national constitution, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering legislation and they wound the sense of ethical behaviour of human beings. Moreover, it proves the hypothesis that such opportunities being offered to black money holders have no positive contribution towards creating additional demands in the country’s property markets.
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