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Analysis of Tax Compliance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Firm-Level Study

Author

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  • Adamu Jibir

    (Department of Economics, Gombe State University, Nigeria)

  • Musa Abdu

    (Department of Economics, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Turkey)

  • Tasiu Muhammad

    (Department of Economics, Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria)

Abstract

This study analyses tax compliance among firms in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) within an extended Slippery Slope Framework (eSSF). It applies instrumental variables and generalized estimating equations models on a constructed World Bank's Enterprise Survey longitudinal dataset. The results indicate that the perceived power of the tax authorities does not influence firms' tax compliance, which could be linked to corruption in the form of informal payment. The results also show that corruption encourages the culture of tax non-compliance among firms in SSA because the defaulting firms bribe tax authorities in order to avoid paying taxes and being punished for that. In addition, the results demonstrate that the perceived trust of tax authorities (state representatives) is vitally important in encouraging tax compliance among firms in SSA. In terms of political decisions, it may be implied that gaining trust of taxpayers should be pursued.

Suggested Citation

  • Adamu Jibir & Musa Abdu & Tasiu Muhammad, 2020. "Analysis of Tax Compliance in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from Firm-Level Study," Econometric Research in Finance, SGH Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis, vol. 5(2), pages 119-142, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sgh:erfinj:v:5:y:2020:i:2:p:119-142
    DOI: 10.2478/erfin-2020-0007
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marius-Răzvan Surugiu & Cristina-Raluca Mazilescu & Camelia Surugiu, 2021. "Analysis of the Tax Compliance in the EU: VECM and SEM," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(17), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Mohammed Aminu Yaru, 2022. "Budget transparency and internal revenue mobilisation at sub-national government level: evidence from Nigeria," Public Sector Economics, Institute of Public Finance, vol. 46(4), pages 505-531.
    3. Yaru, Mohammed Aminu & Raji, Ajibola Simbiat, 2021. "Corruption, Governance and Tax Revenue Performance in Sub-Saharan Africa," African Journal of Economic Review, African Journal of Economic Review, vol. 10(1), December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Competition; Corruption; Power; Trust; Tax-compliance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H24 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Personal Income and Other Nonbusiness Taxes and Subsidies
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets

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