Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance Within the Informal Sector

Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance Within the Informal Sector

Project / Seminar Material
Reference ID: PS-13639-TM

DEDICATION

This research material titled “Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance Within the Informal Sector” is dedicated to God for his enabling grace, and to all computer enthusiasts who contributed to make life a pleasant experience during my research documentation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the completion of this project. Special thanks to my Supervisor (Name of your Supervisor), the Head of Department (Name of your HOD), the Lecturers in the department of Business Administration and Management (BAM), Book Authors and Profound Scholars of existing or related project material on “Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance Within the Informal Sector” for their invaluable guidance, support, and expertise throughout the journey.

I am also grateful to your study area (mention any funding organizations, if applicable) for their financial assistance. This research would not have been possible without the encouragement and assistance of some stakeholders (mention any mentors, teachers, or colleagues). Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the understanding and patience of my family and friends during this endeavor. Your unwavering support has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you all for being part of this meaningful endeavor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARY PAGES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

    CHAPTER TWO

    LITERATURE REVIEW

    • 2.1 Introduction
    • 2.2 Conceptual Review
    • 2.3 Theoretical Framework
    • ⋮
    • 2.4 Empirical Studies

    CHAPTER THREE

    RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

    • 3.1 Introduction
    • 3.2 Research Design
    • 3.3 Population of Study
    • 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
    • 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
    • 3.6 Method of Data Collection
    • 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
    • 3.8 Questionnaire Administration
    • 3.9 Ethical Consideration
    • 3.10 Statistical Analysis

    CHAPTER FOUR

    DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION

    • 4.1 Introduction
    • 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
    • 4.3 Re-statement of Research Questions
    • 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
    • 4.5 Discussion of Findings

    CHAPTER FIVE

    SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

    • 5.1 Introduction
    • 5.2 Summary of Findings
    • 5.3 Conclusion
    • 5.4 Recommendation
    • 5.5 Suggestion for Further Study

    REFERENCES

    APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”

    ABSTRACT

    Taxation is not new in the scene of human existence as it has been part of it all along. However, despite its age long history, its importance and necessity, it has not received the required level of acceptance and compliance. Instead, people tend to avoid the payment of tax if they are not compelled to do so. The trend is worse among operators in the informal sector due to the nature of the sector. This study therefore, considered the ways the government can improve voluntary compliance within the informal sector which has not been properly harnessed or brought under the tax net. Both primary and secondary sources of data were used. The survey method which involves the use of questionnaire was employed to administer questionnaires on owners/entrepreneurs of small and medium scale enterprises in Enugu North Local Government of Enugu State and employees of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and State Board of Internal Revenue (SBIR) in the State.

    Also, the simple percentage and the chi-square qualitative statistical methods were used to analyse the data collected and test the hypotheses formulated. The study found out that the perception of tax payers is that the government is not accountable to them. Moreover, tax payers are not aware of current development in the tax system. To achieve voluntary compliance, the study recommends that there is need to employ tools such as tax payers’ education, increased interaction with tax payers, and collaboration with civil society, academia and other stakeholders in the tax system as well as the use of the mass media to promote a deeper tax culture amongst operations in the informal sector. On the whole, accountability on the part of government to the citizenry as well as cultivating a culture of harmony among tax payers and tax collectors by establishing tax payers’ friendly environment and policies and appreciating their contributions to national development and progress is pivotal to achieving voluntary compliance in the sector.

    Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance Within the Informal Sector

    CHAPTER ONE

    Introduction

    1.1 Background Of The Study

    Tax compliance encompasses all activities necessary to be carried out by the taxpaying public in order to meet the statutory requirement of tax law. This includes preparation of tax returns that must be filed by individuals and/or organisations.

    Voluntary tax compliance is a tax system based on tax payers complying with the tax laws without being compelled by the tax authority to do so. Under this system, tax payers are expected to report their income, calculate their tax liabilities and file returns. This is known as self-assessment. Self-assessment is one of the most prominent measures by the tax authority to secure voluntary compliance. It encourages voluntary compliance because of the liberty granted the tax payer which requires him to complete his tax himself, make payments and file return. But, its administration seems to be much easier in the organised (formal) sector. The government should endeavour to extend such taxation in general to the informal sector because it has the potential to contribute significantly to the growth of the economy taking into cognisance the fact that to achieve voluntary compliance, there must be mutual trust between tax payers and tax authority.

    1.2 Statement Of The Problem

    The problem of non-compliance is as old as tax itself because it is a known fact that citizens hardly come out to pay their taxes without being compelled to do so.

    …

    CHAPTER TWO

    2.0 Literature Review

    2.1 Introduction

    This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …

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