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The effect of a tax training program on tax compliance and business outcomes of starting entrepreneurs: Evidence from a field experiment

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  • Nagel, Hanskje
  • Rosendahl Huber, Laura
  • Van Praag, Mirjam
  • Goslinga, Sjoerd

Abstract

This paper estimates the long-term impact of a short, partly personalized, mandatory tax training program on tax compliance and business outcomes of first-time entrepreneurs. To this end, we combine survey data, audit data and unique register data from the Netherlands' Tax and Customs Administration with a three year long randomized experiment. The results show that the training affects specific domains of tax compliant behavior. Moreover, it has no impact on business survival, but treated entrepreneurs have significantly higher profits compared to the control group due to lower business costs. These outcomes are partially supportive of our hypotheses developed from theories on tax compliance and mental accounting.

Suggested Citation

  • Nagel, Hanskje & Rosendahl Huber, Laura & Van Praag, Mirjam & Goslinga, Sjoerd, 2019. "The effect of a tax training program on tax compliance and business outcomes of starting entrepreneurs: Evidence from a field experiment," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 34(2), pages 261-283.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:34:y:2019:i:2:p:261-283
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2018.10.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Tax training; New venture performance; Entrepreneurial behavior; Tax compliance; Field experiment; Intervention; First-time entrepreneurs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • M13 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - New Firms; Startups

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