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Article
Publication date: 22 March 2024

Rida Belahouaoui and El Houssain Attak

This study aims to analyze the tax compliance behavior of family firms by integrating social and psychological norms with legitimacy determinants, focusing specifically on the…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the tax compliance behavior of family firms by integrating social and psychological norms with legitimacy determinants, focusing specifically on the Moroccan context.

Design/methodology/approach

Employing a qualitative research design, the study conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 chief executive officers (CEOs) of Moroccan family firms. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis to unravel the interplay between individual beliefs and societal norms.

Findings

The findings reveal a complex interplay between the personal norms of CEOs and chief financial officers (CFOs) and wider societal and cultural expectations, significantly influencing tax compliance behavior. The study identifies the multifaceted nature of tax compliance, which is shaped by personal ethics, family values and the dominant societal tax culture.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited by its qualitative approach and focus on Moroccan family businesses, which may not be generalizable to other contexts. Future studies could use a quantitative approach and expand to other geographical settings for a more comprehensive understanding.

Practical implications

Insights from the study can assist policymakers and tax authorities in developing culturally sensitive tax compliance strategies that resonate with family business values.

Social implications

The research underscores the importance of considering sociocultural dimensions in tax compliance, fostering a more cooperative relationship between family businesses and tax authorities.

Originality/value

The study contributes a novel perspective by synthesizing social, psychological and legitimacy factors in understanding tax compliance in the unique context of family businesses.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 16 June 2023

Jonathan E. Lee, Candice Correia, John Correia and Zhuoli Axelton

The cost of compliance is an essential variable to consider when administering a tax system. One recent study estimates that the yearly federal tax compliance burden in the US…

Abstract

The cost of compliance is an essential variable to consider when administering a tax system. One recent study estimates that the yearly federal tax compliance burden in the US exceeds $431 billion dollars, and this cost does not include the potential greatest cost of all – changes in taxpayer behavior that reduces economic efficiency (Laffer, Winegarden, & Childs, 2011). One example of such behavior is the renunciation of US citizenship due to the impact of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) reporting requirements. Using this context, our study examines how FATCA compliance costs can affect taxpayer behavior in a manner that reduces economic efficiency. We collected responses from 197 experienced US taxpayers living in the US. Our study finds that when tax compliance costs are high, taxpayers may be more likely to renounce their citizenship to avoid FATCA reporting requirements. We further learn that tax compliance costs may increase the likelihood of citizenship renunciation even in the presence of a minimal US tax burden. Supplemental mediation analysis demonstrates that one's perceived fairness of compliance does not mediate the effect of high compliance costs on a taxpayer's renunciation decision; however, one's perceived fairness of compliance and fear of sanctions, collectively, partially explain the effect of tax burden on the renunciation decision. In addition, we find that ethics, the perceived probability of detection, and average income level affect the decision to renounce citizenship. Our findings suggest broader impacts of tax policy and provide a foundation for future research to further explore domestic and foreign tax compliance behaviors.

Article
Publication date: 9 April 2024

Mohd Abass Bhat, Shagufta Tariq Khan, Yousuf Mohamed Zahran Al Balushi, Abel Dula Wedajo and Mohammad Haseeb

Based on the extended theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine potential intentions-related factors that affect Islamic tax compliance moderated by information and…

Abstract

Purpose

Based on the extended theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine potential intentions-related factors that affect Islamic tax compliance moderated by information and communication technology (ICT) adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative cross-sectional design was used to distribute questionnaire sets to 975 working Muslim Omanis by using convenience sampling method. PLS-SEM was mainly used to examine the data.

Findings

All the factors determine behavioral intention to pay Islamic tax (BIIT), which significantly predicts Islamic tax compliance behavior (ITCB). However, perceived control behavior negatively determines intention. ICT adoption moderates the link between BIIT and ITCB.

Practical implications

This study offers both practical and theoretical implications that can guide efforts to promote Islamic tax compliance and advance our understanding of tax behavior within the ETPB framework.

Originality/value

This study accounted for crucial factors determining intention than earlier ones using the ETPB. Considering technological advancements, the study also assessed the moderating role of ICT between BIIT and ITCB.

Details

Journal of Islamic Accounting and Business Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1759-0817

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 February 2023

Edward Nartey

Tax compliance studies have been extensively conducted across various jurisdictions. However, only partial answers have so far been provided for the question: “Why do people pay…

1153

Abstract

Purpose

Tax compliance studies have been extensively conducted across various jurisdictions. However, only partial answers have so far been provided for the question: “Why do people pay tax?”. The aim of this study is to report tax compliance behavior from both the supply side (SMEs) and demand side (tax collecting authorities) in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey of 233 responses comprising 169 SME managers and 64 tax officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority qualified for the study. Data were modelled using covariance-based structural equations modelling (AMOS Graphics version 23).

Findings

Isomorphic forces and tax fairness have a positive impact on tax compliance. However, the impact of strategic response on tax compliance was insignificant, which suggests that, although SMEs in Ghana adopt different strategies to respond to institutional pressures, such strategies do not influence their tax compliance behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This study investigates tax compliance behavior among SMEs using a survey design from only one developing country – Ghana. Based on a cross-sectional survey and the approach used to gather the sample data, assessing any changes over time may be impossible.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that SMEs’ tax compliance behaviors are shaped by institutional pressures in terms of obeying tax laws and filling their tax returns in a consistent manner. Given that isomorphic forces and tax fairness are significant predictors of tax compliance, SME tax compliance can be improved if strong institutions are incorporated in the administration of taxes. The findings also support the logical thinking of tax fairness theory that the higher SMEs perceived the tax system to be fair, the more their compliance behavior is encouraged.

Originality/value

This study represents one of the few to provide preliminary empirical evidence on tax compliance from the supply side of taxation in a developing economy. Therefore, the findings have implications for taxpayers in Ghana.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 43 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 December 2023

Rida Belahouaoui and El Houssain Attak

This study aims to understand the interaction between tax fairness perceptions, equitable tax burden distribution and tax compliance within Morocco’s unique socio-economic…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to understand the interaction between tax fairness perceptions, equitable tax burden distribution and tax compliance within Morocco’s unique socio-economic context, with the goal of uncovering strategies to enhance tax compliance.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Delphi method, this study engaged tax experts in the Moroccan context to explore the impact of taxpayers’ perception of fairness, tax rates and tax burden on compliance. Their responses were gathered and analyzed with the aid of IRaMuTeQ software, which helped the authors identify themes relevant to the research question.

Findings

The preliminary results indicate a positive correlation between perceptions of tax fairness and compliance behavior, corroborating earlier studies conducted in different contexts. Notably, a substantial majority of Moroccan taxpayers perceive the current tax system as inequitable, deeming tax rates too high and the tax burden unfairly distributed among various taxpayer categories. This perception potentially influences their voluntary tax compliance behavior.

Practical implications

The findings have significant policy implications for the Moroccan Government and stakeholders. They suggest that by improving tax fairness, particularly by aligning tax assessment and payment modalities for employees, civil servants and small to medium enterprises, policymakers can encourage higher voluntary tax compliance, thereby potentially enhancing the efficiency of the Moroccan tax system.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing body of knowledge by exploring the dynamics of tax fairness and compliance behavior in Morocco, a context which has been significantly understudied.

Details

Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1985-2517

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 16 June 2023

Mohd Allif Anwar Abu Bakar, Mohd Rizal Palil and Ruhanita Maelah

This study examined social media, tax morale, and tax compliance behaviour. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to investigate the…

Abstract

This study examined social media, tax morale, and tax compliance behaviour. Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilized to investigate the quantitative data gathered from 592 salaried and self-employed taxpayers in East Malaysia, comprising two regions – Sabah and Sarawak. The results showed that social media had no significant effect on tax compliance. There was, however, a significant and negative relationship between social media and tax morale. A significant and positive effect of tax morale on tax compliance was also discovered. The bootstrapping technique indicated that tax morale mediates the association between social media and tax compliance. This research is among the earliest in a developing country to investigate the effect of social media in enhancing tax compliance, thus, contributing to the tax literature with a broader focus.

Article
Publication date: 12 March 2024

Rida Belahouaoui and El Houssain Attak

This paper aims to analyze the impact of tax digitalization, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain technologies, on enhancing tax compliance…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of tax digitalization, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and blockchain technologies, on enhancing tax compliance behavior in various contexts. It seeks to understand how these emerging digital tools influence taxpayer behaviors and compliance levels and to assess their effectiveness in reducing tax evasion and avoidance practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic review technique with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses method, this study evaluates 62 papers collected from the Scopus database. The papers were analyzed through textometry of titles, abstracts and keywords to identify prevailing trends and insights.

Findings

The review reveals that digitalization, particularly through AI and blockchain, significantly enhances tax compliance and operational efficiency. However, challenges persist, especially in emerging economies, regarding the adoption and integration of these technologies in tax systems. The findings indicate a global trend toward digital Tax Administration 3.0, emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks, capacity building and simplification for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Practical implications

The findings provide guidance for policymakers and tax administrations, underscoring the necessity of strategic planning, regulatory backing and global cooperation to effectively use digital technologies in tax compliance. Emphasizing the need for tailored support for SMEs, the study also calls for expanded research in less represented areas and specific sectors, such as SMEs and developing economies, to deepen global insights into digital tax compliance.

Originality/value

This study has attempted to fill the gap in the literature on the comprehensive impact of fiscal digitalization, particularly AI-based, on tax compliance across different global contexts, adding to the discourse on digital taxation.

Details

Accounting Research Journal, vol. 37 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1030-9616

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 May 2023

Prianto Budi Saptono and Ismail Khozen

Even as governments worldwide take extraordinary measures and spend unprecedented amounts of their state budgets to combat COVID-19, tax compliance remains challenging. Therefore…

Abstract

Purpose

Even as governments worldwide take extraordinary measures and spend unprecedented amounts of their state budgets to combat COVID-19, tax compliance remains challenging. Therefore, this study employs previously identified predictors to investigate the factors that persuade individual taxpayers to comply with the law.

Design/methodology/approach

Individual taxpayers in Indonesia (N = 699) who had experienced COVID-19-related benefits were asked to assess the provided evaluation regarding the tax compliance intention and its determinants. The bootstrapping analysis was employed using smart partial least squares (SmartPLS) to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The results suggest that the perceived fiscal exchange, tax morality, tax fairness, tax complexity and the power of authority are significant determinants of tax compliance intention. This study also supports the indirect effects of numerous factors on tax compliance intention through the perceived fiscal exchange and tax morality. In practice, reminding taxpayers of how tax payments fund public services, improving taxpayer morale, increasing the perceived fairness of the tax system, streamlining the tax code and managing the effectiveness of tax administration could all lead to a greater intention to comply with the law.

Originality/value

In addition to highlighting the dynamics of tax compliance amid the unprecedented pandemic crisis, our findings also provide insight into the importance of perceived fiscal exchange and tax morality for achieving and sustaining planned behavior to comply with tax rules.

Details

International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, vol. 43 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0144-333X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 July 2023

Ahmad Alshira'h

This study aims to investigate the relationship between trust in government, value added tax (VAT) compliance costs and VAT compliance in the Jordanian retail industry context.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between trust in government, value added tax (VAT) compliance costs and VAT compliance in the Jordanian retail industry context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study makes use of an online questionnaire survey to collect the required data, and the research model is eventually validated based on 189 responses gathered from the retail industry in Jordan. The obtained data was analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling to examine the effects of trust in government and costs of VAT compliance on VAT compliance.

Findings

The results showed that VAT compliance costs have no significant influence on VAT compliance; while trust in government was found statistically positive significant with VAT compliance.

Practical implications

This study’s results are expected to have implications for VAT authorities and policymakers in Arab countries, like Jordan in their policies formulation to enhance VAT compliance in retail industry. The study’s findings are alerting the policymakers for the positive noneconomic consequences of VAT compliance. It provides evidence that trust in government can increase VAT compliance.

Social implications

The results of the research have a plentiful of social implications. Higher VAT compliance will enable higher levels of government spending on a many of social targets such as health, education, welfare programs and infrastructure.

Originality/value

While the study builds on recent research examining how to incentivize VAT compliance, it simultaneously seeks to make three contributions. First, the study design aims to apply recent advances in behavioral sciences (impact of trust in government and VAT compliance costs) in a policy area that has not seen much use of such interventions in the Jordanian context (i.e. VAT compliance). Second, the study is government procedures pertinent in the sense that it aims to increase the effectiveness of existing government policies by complementing them with behavioral primes. Third, there is nearly no literature found applying this topic in a developing country such as Jordan. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that examines the trust in government and VAT compliance costs on VAT compliance among Jordanian retail industry. Thus, this paper contributes to mitigating the literature gap by providing empirical evidence concerning the influence of trust in government and VAT compliance costs on the retail industry VAT compliance in the Jordanian context.

Details

Journal of Money Laundering Control, vol. 27 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1368-5201

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2023

Lemessa Bayissa Gobena

The aim of this study was to examine the moderating roles of the legitimate power and distributive justice of the tax authority on the effect of procedural justice on the…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the moderating roles of the legitimate power and distributive justice of the tax authority on the effect of procedural justice on the voluntary tax compliance of taxpayers in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, by using survey data collected from taxpayers in the city.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the study were collected from 800 sample taxpayers who were drawn by using a systematic sampling technique. The variables of the study were constructed as indices from composing the scale items developed and tested for their validity by prior researchers. Having collected the data by using a 7-point Likert scale questionnaire and forming the latent variables, hierarchical multiple regressions were applied to determine the moderating effects of the two variables (i.e. legitimate power and distributive justice) on the effect of procedural justice on voluntary tax compliance.

Findings

The author found that both the legitimate power of the tax authority and distributive justice of the authority moderate the effect of procedural justice on voluntary tax compliance. The moderating roles of the two variables appear to be opposite in that low (but not high) distributive justice and high (but not low) legitimate power of the tax authority stimulate the effect of procedural justice on voluntary tax compliance.

Research limitations/implications

The first limitation is that the data used in this study are self-reported data while the subject of the study is sensitive subject about which respondents are not believed to provide genuine responses. This is presumably because taxpayers are less likely to confess their tax evasion as they fear legal actions following their self-report. Hence, other controlled methods such as the experimental design are recommended to replicate the results of this study. The second limitation is that data for the study were gathered through a one-time cross-sectional survey and hence it would not warrant a causal claim between the study variables. Consequently, other research with a longitudinal or experimental design might warrant a causal relationship between the variables.

Practical implications

Therefore, the tax authorities must endeavor to attain high legitimacy by doing “the right things” as perceived by the taxpayers so that their tax-related decisions gain acceptance from the decision recipients. Tax policy makers as well ought to consider the importance of and the relationship between procedural justice, distributive justice and legitimate power of the tax authority in order to attain the maximum possible voluntary compliance of taxpayers that significantly reduces the administrative cost of taxes.

Social implications

The study benefits society by enhancing tax compliance and hence helping the government secure a better amount of tax revenue and provide better public goods and services.

Originality/value

The findings of this study are of high theoretical and policy significance. Theoretically, the findings contribute to the integrative literature on economic deterrence and social-psychological factors that are responsible for voluntary tax compliance decisions. The parallel moderating roles of the two variables on the relationship between procedural justice and voluntary cooperation in a single model and in the tax compliance context are novel. In terms of applicability to policy formulations, they shed light on the need for a shift from a pure focus on aggressive tax audits and penalties, especially in emerging economies to a combination of the tax audits and the nurturing of the voluntary deference of taxpayers to the tax authority's decisions. Caution must, however, be taken that the results of this study may not be applicable to tax environments in other countries.

Details

Asian Review of Accounting, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1321-7348

Keywords

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