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The Extent and Determinants of Tax Gap in the Informal Sector: Evidence from Ghana

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  • Michael Danquah
  • Eric Osei‐Assibey

Abstract

In this paper, we attempt to estimate the tax gap in the informal sector as well as the contributing factors of the tax losses in SSA countries using Ghana as a case study. Using micro data on non‐farm household enterprises obtained from the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey as well as data on quarterly tax payable by specified small scale enterprises derived from the Small Tax Payer office of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the findings show that the national potential and actual taxes in the informal sector are US$ 81 974 846 and US$ 25 023 273, respectively, reflecting an estimated national tax gap or loss of approximately US$ 56 951 573. Firm level variables such as type of business, urban location and experience of the firm significantly increase the propensity to pay tax and reduce the tax gap. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Danquah & Eric Osei‐Assibey, 2018. "The Extent and Determinants of Tax Gap in the Informal Sector: Evidence from Ghana," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 992-1005, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:30:y:2018:i:6:p:992-1005
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3361
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    Cited by:

    1. Siahaan, Fernando & Amberger, Harald & Sureth, Caren, 2023. "Turnover-based corporate income taxation and corporate risk-taking," arqus Discussion Papers in Quantitative Tax Research 281, arqus - Arbeitskreis Quantitative Steuerlehre.
    2. Vanina Adoriana Trifan & Silviu Gabriel Szentesi & Lavinia Denisia Cuc & Mioara Florina Pantea, 2023. "Assessing Tax Compliance Behavior Among Romanian Taxpayers: An Empirical Case Study," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    3. James Atta Peprah & Francis Kwaw Andoh & Eric Atsu Avorkpo & Kwabena Nkansah Dafor & Benedict Afful Jr & Camara Kwasi Obeng, 2022. "Compliance Burden and Tax Gap Among Micro and Small Businesses: Evidence From Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    4. Munyaradzi Duve & Daniel P. Schutte, 2021. "A Critical Review of the Characteristics of Presumptive Tax Systems in Developing Countries," Theory Methodology Practice (TMP), Faculty of Economics, University of Miskolc, vol. 17(02), pages 27-43.

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