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Tax corruption and private sector development in Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Nguyen, Ngoc Anh
  • Doan, Quang Hung
  • Tran-Nam, Binh

Abstract

This article aims to examine the impact of tax corruption on private sector development in Vietnam. It is motivated by two separate but related considerations. First, despite the seriousness of the phenomenon of corruption, there is a paucity of rigorous empirical research of corruption, particularly tax corruption, in Vietnam. Secondly, ineffective control of corruption is viewed as a cause of Vietnam’s recent total factor productivity (TFP) slowdown or its poor industrial policy, both of which may hamper Vietnam’s progress as a low middle-income country. Without some understanding on the impact of tax corruption on the economy, it may not be possible to devise the most effective anti-corruption policy and measures. After a brief literature review that focuses on tax corruption, various conceptual issues relating to tax corruption are discussed and clarified. The extent of petty tax corruption in Vietnam is then discussed, followed by a review of findings and implications of recent studies on how tax corruption impacts on private sector development in Vietnam. Despite perceptions and evidence of widespread petty tax corruption, Vietnam ranks very highly both in terms of tax collection and tax effort.Not unexpectedly, the impact of tax corruption is mixed in the sense that empirical evidence lends credence to both 'sanding the wheels' and 'greasing the wheels' hypotheses. Finally, some broad policy recommendations for combating tax corruption are offered.

Suggested Citation

  • Nguyen, Ngoc Anh & Doan, Quang Hung & Tran-Nam, Binh, 2017. "Tax corruption and private sector development in Vietnam," MPRA Paper 84300, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:84300
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Fjeldstad, Odd-Helge & Tungodden, Bertil, 2003. "Fiscal Corruption: A Vice or a Virtue?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 31(8), pages 1459-1467, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hai Anh La & Duc Anh Dang, 2018. "Income under-reporting and tax evasion: How they impact inequality in Vietnam," WIDER Working Paper Series 148, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Hai Anh La & Duc Anh Dang, 2018. "Income under-reporting and tax evasion: How they impact inequality in Vietnam," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2018-148, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Hung Quang Doan & Nam Hoang Vu & Binh Tran-Nam & Ngoc-Anh Nguyen, 2022. "Effects of tax administration corruption on innovation inputs and outputs: evidence from small and medium sized enterprises in Vietnam," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 1773-1800, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    tax corruption; unofficial/informal payments; private sector; Vietnam;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H20 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - General
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H29 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Other

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