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The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the burden of tax compliance on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Durban, which is located in South Africa. Taxes impose considerable and regressive compliance costs, which restrict the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), notwithstanding the efforts of the government. During the course of this investigation, quantitative, cross-sectional, and survey research methodologies were utilised. The creation of new jobs is the objective of the 'New Growth Path' initiative of the South African government. The realm of small businesses is the most widespread sector that has the potential to assist in the achievement of this objective. On the other hand, the development of this sector is hampered by rules concerning tax compliance. The number of small enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal has decreased by 13.5% over the past several years. According to the findings of a survey conducted with 96 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), forty percent of SMEs consider regulatory expenses to be the primary barrier to growth. The burden of tax compliance is continuously increasing, and the costs of tax compliance continue to be regressive, which places an even bigger strain on small firms by increasing the burden. As a result of the fact that the majority of their resources are devoted to tax compliance requirements, the findings suggested that the majority of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) prefer tax regimes that are simpler and have lower rates. It has been established via previous research that the costs associated with tax compliance are large, regressive, and continue to increase, resulting in an administrative burden. Tax advantages for small businesses in South Africa are not very impressive, and the majority of owners are not aware of the tax savings that are available to them. It is suggested that Social Security Administration (SARS) launch more efficient efforts in order to educate proprietors of small businesses about the concessions that are available.

This study’s objectives were to assess the extent the AEO programme contributed to improved customs tax compliance among participating businesses and how the AEO programme has affected trade facilitation in South Africa. A mixed-method research approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data from a survey. The sample size was 22, selected through purposive stratified sampling, including 1 tax lecturer from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and 21 middle management employees from the South African tax administrator’s AEO department. Key informants reported that the AEO programme has enhanced compliance rates through the implementation of improvement initiatives, the establishment of partnerships, and support for non-compliant applicants. The AEO programme is a voluntary initiative created by the World Customs Organisation in order to ensure compliance and facilitate trade. The programme enhances trade by offering dedicated support through CRM teams, streamlining business operations, and ensuring the swift release of goods.

This study examined the moderating effect of tax sanctions on the relationships between tax reform factors (knowledge in tax laws, tax rights, tax business income) and tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana. The study adopted quantitative research design. Stratified random sampling technique was deployed in the selection of two hundred and fifty-two (252) SMEs in Accra. Data collection was done using questionnaires and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. The study found that significant positive relationships exist between tax business income factors (knowledge in tax laws, tax rights, tax business income) and tax compliance among SMEs in Ghana. The study also found that tax sanctions negatively moderate the relationship between knowledge in tax laws and tax compliance as well as tax business income and tax compliance. Tax sanction was found to positively moderate the relationship between knowledge in tax rights and tax compliance among SMEs. The study recommended the need for continuous tax education by tax authorities to enhance tax knowledge among SMEs, which has positive implications on tax compliance. The study further recommended that, rather than relying solely on tax sanctions, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should explore positive reinforcement mechanisms to encourage voluntary compliance. Offering tax rebates for timely compliance, such as discounts for businesses that consistently meet their tax obligations, can serve as an incentive. Finally, improving perceptions of tax fairness by clearly communicating how tax revenues benefit businesses and society may further enhance tax compliance among SMEs.

This research aims to examine empirical the effect of tax knowledge, tax rates, tax discrimination, tax fairness, tax sanction, information technology, and religiosity on tax evasion both partially and simultaneously. The benefits of this research are expected to provide insight into understanding of the factors that influence tax evasion. The population in this study were individual taxpayers in Indonesia. The number of samples in this study amounted to 400 respondents. The sampling techniques used is convenience random sampling method. Data collection using questionnaires and processed using SPSS 26.0 statistics. The data analysis method used in this research is multiple linear regression. he results indicate that tax knowledge, tax rates, tax discrimination, tax fairness, and tax sanctions do not have a positive and significant effect on tax evasion. Religiosity, on the other hand, has a negative and significant effect on tax evasion. Only information technology shows a positive and significant effect on reducing tax evasion.This suggests that information technology is the only factor that can effectively reduce tax evasion committed by taxpayers in Indonesia.

The purpose of the study was to examine small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and tax practitioners’ perspectives on the effect of the cost of tax compliance on the functioning of SMEs.The study uses both the opinions of SMEs and tax practitioners to extend information on the tax compliance burden and its effect on the functioning of SMEs.The study adopted a quantitative approach using a self-administered questionnaire which was e-mailed to a sample of SMEs and tax practitioners by using a link to QuestionPro. Tax compliance was viewed as a burden by SMEs, with the majority opting to outsource their tax matters to tax practitioners. SMEs and tax practitioners supported the recommendation that if SMEs attend frequent tax training, this may assist in reducing the tax compliance burden of SMEs. The study recommends that SARS conducts frequent tax training aimed at SMEs. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by using both the opinions of SMEs and tax practitioners to extend information on the tax compliance burden and its effect on the functioning of SMEs.

Effective tax systems rely on tax literacy and tax compliance behaviour among taxpayers for government revenue mobilisation. However, the extant literature suggests that in sub-Saharan Africa, mobilising tax revenue to fund public services and infrastructure development to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (SDGs) remains a great challenge. According to the 2024 Revenue Statistics in Africa report, jointly undertaken by the African Union Commission (AUC), African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF), the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration and the OECD Development Centre, the average tax-to-GDP ratio was 16% in African countries in 2022, compared to 19.3%, 21.5% and 34.0% respectively for  Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and OECD countries. Despite being recognised as a critical aspect of tax compliance, the role played by political legitimacy in taxpayer compliance behaviour remained under-explored in developing countries. This study proposes an Augmented Theory of Planned Compliance Behaviour (ATPCB) framework, based on Ajzen’s (1991) theory of planned behaviour (TPB) and both the deterrence and accommodation theories of compliance, to predict taxpayers’ compliance behaviour, especially in developing countries. The framework comprises four components: attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, and political legitimacy. The findings of this study have implications for policymakers and researchers as it will assist future research in providing a structured approach for assessing taxpayers’ compliance behaviour. Also, it will provide interested parties with a better understanding of the combined effects of individuals’ beliefs, attitudes, norms, and political legitimacy on tax compliance. Lastly, the study will assist governments in deciding the future course of action towards effective policymaking for taxation and revenue mobilisation.

The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between SMEs tax knowledge and tax compliance in Durban, South Africa. The self-assessment system was introduced in 2001 by the South African Revenue System sought to make is easier for individuals and organisations to file their declarations and pay their taxes, without the interactions with tax authorities which were seen as inefficient. However, non-compliance among businesses continues to be high, particularly among SMEs, with numerous factors such as a lack of professional guidance, knowledge, and resources cited as a key factor contributing to poor compliance. This research study adopted a quantitative approach, using survey questionnaires to collect data from SME managers and owners. A total of 93 responses were collected and analysed to identify trends in tax knowledge and compliance behavior among these enterprises. The results showed that although SMEs have a good knowledge of taxpayer responsibilities and value-added tax, they have poor knowledge about turnover and payroll tax. Moreover, there were no statistically significant relationships were found between their level of tax knowledge and tax compliance. The findings suggest a need for targeted education and training programs to improve tax knowledge among SMEs. Simplifying tax processes and enhancing the accessibility of tax information could lead to higher compliance rates, thereby benefiting the South African economy through improved tax revenue. This study contributes to the existing body of tax literature by highlighting the importance of tax knowledge in ensuring compliance among SMEs. It provides practical recommendations for policymakers and tax authorities to enhance SME tax compliance through improved education and simplified tax systems.

Taxes are essential in protecting the infrastructure as a great portion of government spending comes from taxes. Understandably, factors like taxpayers’ religiosity, tax amnesty, and tax sanctions have a bearing on taxpayer compliance, an important aspect if the optimal tax required for financing infrastructure is to be maintained. This study seeks to determine how taxpayer religiosity, tax amnesty, and tax sanction influence tax compliance of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia. A quantitative research method was applying using several liner regression analyses, with three variables as independent focusing on taxpayer religiosity (X1), tax amnesty (X2), tax-sanction (X3), and one dependent variable taxpayer compliance (Y). The research was within MSMEs, and a random sampling technique was used in drawing the sample. Questionnaires were used to elicit primary data while secondary data was collected through literature reviews such as journals, books, and other published materials. The two tests were ascertained and the hypothesized constructs were tested using SEM techniques within SmartPLS. The results of this research show that, 1) Taxpayer Religiosity has a positive and significant effect on Taxpayer Compliance of MSMES in Indonesia. 2) Tax amnesty has a great impact on taxpayer compliance amongst MSMEs in Indonesia. 3) Tax sanction significantly affects taxpayer compliance amongst MSMEs in Indonesia. The research shows that taxpayer religious beliefs, tax amnesty, and tax sanction leads to high levels of tax compliance amongst the MSME sector in Indonesia. It aids in the formulation of necessary moves by the concerned authorities that would in one way or the other address the issue of compliance among the MSMEs.

This study investigates the intricate factors shaping landlords' compliance with rental income tax in Ghana. Utilizing a survey research approach, the research reveals a complex interplay of socio-economic and demographic determinants influencing landlords' tax payment behavior. Notably, older landlords display a greater willingness to fulfill their tax obligations, contrasting common perceptions that older taxpayers are less compliant. Conversely, landlords with larger households are less inclined to pay taxes, potentially due to increased financial responsibilities. Surprisingly, an upsurge in the number of tenants corresponds with reduced tax compliance, possibly stemming from higher rental income resulting in increased tax obligations. Higher awareness of rental income tax significantly bolsters compliance, as does the proximity of tax collection centers. Education plays a pivotal role, with higher levels of education positively influencing tax compliance. However, formal sector employment diminishes tax compliance, perhaps due to perceived tax burdens. Married landlords are more inclined to comply with rental income tax, emphasizing the role of family responsibilities in incentivizing tax compliance. Tailored tax education programs, public awareness campaigns, electronic payment options, comprehensive strategies, effective communication, and continuous evaluation are recommended measures to enhance tax compliance among landlords.

The objective of the study is to evaluate how the role of tax administration in shaping SME performance in Lae City, Papua New Guinea. The social, legal, economic, and environmental reasons taxpayers want to abide by the tax system's rules. The current tax benefits, such as free zone incentives, income tax exemptions, double taxation agreements, capital gains exemptions, and import duty exemptions, do not currently support the expansion of SMEs. The study sampled 100. Purposive sampling was used to select the community sample in this study to obtain accurate results. The tax collection of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is crucial for a country's economic growth and development. Governments should consider simplifying tax legislation and provide instruction in simple terms. Ensure the tax rates for SME’s are reasonable and competitive. In Addition to that SME’s must minimize their tax liability and engage in the tax planning and regularly adjusting and reviewing the structure of the business can efficiently help tax to optimize, by hiring and consulting the tax professionals can be more helpful to small-medium enterprise to help navigate the difficult tax codes and to reduce risk of non-tax compliances. SME association should engage with tax authorities to get feedback and better comprehend the particular needs and challenges faced by SMEs in the field of taxation. 

The study criticizes the way South Africa collects taxes from different segments of the population, primarily pensioners and workers with two sources of income. It also condemns the ineffective manner in which it administers some tax payouts, especially in the unfairness that has shown bias to some groups. Primarily, taxing of the pensioners is condemned, as well as the taxing of second earnings of employees, mainly where there were victims of the apartheid policies. The paper recommends taxing people with caution, in order not to perpetuate apartheid-initiated poverty of the South African masses of people, and in cases where earners who are being taxed could be having extra financial responsibilities. In order to resolve these problems, taxpayers and tax preparers should make sure that tax laws are applied correctly, that they are aware of the consequences of breaking the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and that they routinely review and update their tax return positions in response to modifications to accounting standards and tax legislation.

Tax compliance and evasion pose significant challenges to tax authorities in South Africa and other countries. In recent times, corporate governance issues have increasingly involved tax compliance. This study focuses on unresolved audit issues with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), expensive litigation, and lengthy arbitration with the tax Ombudsman. These issues are complicated by legal elucidations, legislative components, and regulatory frameworks. The paper aims to clarify the purpose of a tax legal audit expert at SARS in the initial phases of an audit procedure.  To answer this research question, a thorough mapping review using methodical, technique-based literature evaluation was conducted. The study found that the lack of skilled tax legal audit experts hampers the effectiveness and efficiency of tax audits. Therefore, tax authorities must invest in the skills of tax legal audit experts to improve audit outcomes.

This study aims to analyze GR No. 55 of 2022 with regulations that have an impact on previous regulations. The analysis technique used is qualitative with several approaches. The qualitative descriptive approach analysis technique analyzes the comparison of GR No. 55 of 2022 and the Miles and Hubermen approach analysis technique is used in the policy study of GR No. 55 of 2022. Data collection techniques by collaborating literature study techniques with in-depth interviews with academic and practitioner informants. The main findings of the study identified that a significant change in GR No. 55 of 2022 is the regulation of benefit-in-kind from non-taxable to taxable income. The determination of the value of benefit-in-kind can create room for disputes due to differences in perceptions arising from the valuation of benefit-in-kind based on the market price. This potential dispute becomes a reference for further regulation by the tax authority. The results of this study contribute to MSME taxpayers in fulfilling GR No. 55 of 2022 as an application of tax liability compliance.

This study examines the impact of the roles of internal and external accountants on taxpayer compliance in moderation of good corporate governance. This study uses explanatory research with a quantitative approach. The population for this study was corporate taxpayers registered with the KPP Masuk Bursa Company (PMB) for the 2018–2020 fiscal year. Purposive sampling was used in this study, and the sample size was 78 companies’ data. Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA) was used to analyze the data. Techniques for collecting data include literature research and documentation. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) analyzed the data. The findings of this study indicate that the role of internal accountants, as proxied by the timeliness of financial report submission, has a significant positive effect on corporate taxpayer compliance. In addition, the role of external auditors, as represented by audit opinion, has a significant and positive impact on taxpayer compliance. Furthermore, GCG can moderate or strengthen the impact of internal and external accountants on taxpayer compliance. The position of internal accountants and the role of external accountants can both improve corporate taxpayer compliance.    

Identifying the motives for business formalization is important for policy-making and the smooth coordination of entrepreneurs in Tanzania. This paper employs four machine learning (ML) models to investigate the effects of several contingents and institutional factors on SME formalization in Tanzania. Using an updated large dataset of the World bank enterprise survey in 2013, this research relies on 698 firms level data and 37 explanatory variables. The feature importance through SHAP values analysis proves that firm location in a business city, sales revenue, number of full-time employees, firm experience in the sector, and internal and external finance are the most significant factors that positively affect SME's formalization. This paper will be a reference for the actors and stakeholders in business and entrepreneurship to make good policies to drive business formalization in Tanzania.

Perception determines the way we behave towards an object or problem, how everything that affects a person's perception will later affect the chosen behavior h. Accounting students by understanding the negative consequences of tax evasion actions and penalties in the form of sanctions can know signs in decision-making and behavioral patterns of academic compliance in higher education.  This study seeks to examine the effect of student perceptions of tax evasion and tax sanctions on the ethical behavior of accounting students' compliance. Results show that student perception as variable X1 on tax evasion does not have a significant effect to Ethical Behavior academic compliance of accounting students at the State University of Malang. Next on variable X2 result testing perception on penalty  positive and significant effect on behavior ethical obedience academic accounting students at the State University of Malang

Domestic revenue mobilisation is fundamental if African countries are to fund investments in health, education, infrastructural development, economic growth, human capital development, security, and prosperity to attain the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Some goals focus on eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening institutions, and providing decent work. This requires resources and investment, yet Sub-Saharan African countries continuously struggle to mobilise enough revenue to meet basic government objectives. Through a critical literature review, this paper focuses on sustainable tax revenue mobilisation in Sub-Saharan African Countries, discussing the challenges, opportunities, and prospects for possible amelioration of tax systems. Challenges identified to explain the ineffectiveness of revenue mobilisation in these countries include the presence of a significant informal sector, weak tax administration capacities, the growth in the digital economy, corruption, governance quality, and increased tax avoidance and evasion by multinational companies. Possible prospects include taxation of the digital economy, taxing the informal sector, the capacitation of tax authorities, and the broadening of tax bases.

The level of taxpayer compliance has decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Regional Revenue Management Agency recorded that as many as 1.6 million motorized vehicles were in arrears in taxes as of September 2020. This study aims to empirically examine the effect of the tax whitening program, taxpayer awareness, and tax knowledge on taxpayer compliance with tax socialization as a moderating variable in the correlation. The questionnaire uses a Likert scale with 100 motor vehicle taxpayers domiciled in the Cilacap, Banyumas, Purbalingga, Banjarnegara, and Kebumen areas. The research sample was taken using the non-probability sampling technique. The questionnaire data was then processed using Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis by testing the outer and inner models. The results show that tax whitening, taxpayer awareness, and tax knowledge directly impact taxpayer compliance. However, tax socialization does not affect taxpayer compliance. Tax socialization cannot moderate the factors that support taxpayer compliance and does not directly affect taxpayer compliance. This study explains that tax whitening can be used as a solution to improve vehicle tax compliance. Meanwhile, tax awareness and tax knowledge which are internal factors, reflect that taxpayers have good knowledge to be aware of their obligations to pay taxes and comply with existing tax regulations. Tax socialization cannot moderate the factors that support taxpayer compliance and does not directly affect taxpayer compliance. These conditions indicate the government's lack of effort in providing tax information and knowledge to the public. Activities to disseminate information, tax knowledge, and tax education to the public must be carried out intensely and continuously to increase taxpayer compliance.

Tax education, especially at college level, has so far focused on academic aspects and tends to ignore ethical aspects. So far, ethics education has shown its role in increasing individual moral sensitivity. Given the importance of ethics education, an integration of ethics is needed in tax education, so that it is expected to help in shaping tax-compliant behavior among students. Based on these issues, this study aims to examine the combined effect of tax ethics education and tax comprehension on tax compliance. This research was conducted on 81 undergraduate accounting students with an experimental method. Based on the analysis using ANOVA, this study found that the integration of ethics in tax education can improve tax compliance, especially for students who have low tax comprehension. The results of this study indicate the importance of ethics integration in tax education, especially at the university level. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be a consideration for universities to integrate ethical aspects of tax education, thus helping in the process of forming student moral awareness as taxpayers in the future.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in tax revenues, the number of taxpayers who pay, and submit tax reports before and after the tax volunteer program. The period before tax volunteers is in March 2018 - February 2019 and the period after tax volunteers is in March 2019 - March 2020. This research took place at the Pratama tax office in Badung Selatan. The data in this study were analyzed using an independent t-test. The results of this study indicate that there is no difference in the amount of tax revenue and the number of taxpayers who submit tax reports, but there are differences in the number of taxpayers who pay taxes before and after tax volunteers. The data contribution from research can be used as a basis for the Directorate General of Taxation to be able to evaluate the system that has been used and whether the presence of tax volunteers can also help in increasing taxpayer compliance. Also, it will become a reference for the Directorate General of Taxation in making decisions to make policy in the field of taxation, including creating another taxation system that will facilitate taxpayers in their tax obligations and expand the scope of tax volunteers in areas that have not been reached to date.