Determinants of Tax Compliance Behaviour and Sustainable Economic Growth Among MSMEs in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effects of determinants of tax compliance behaviour on sustainable economic growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South-South, Nigeria. The study anchored on the economic deterrence theory and cross sectional survey research design was used on a sample of MSMEs in South-South, Nigeria. The primary data was collected using a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale and a sample size of 535 using convenience sampling. The data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis while multivariate analysis was used in the estimation of the regression model developed for the study. The findings revealed that tax penalty has positive and significant influence on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south of Nigeria; tax fairness has positive and significant influence on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south of Nigeria; perceived opportunities of tax evasion has negative and insignificant influence on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south of Nigeria; tax audit has positive and significant effect on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south of Nigeria; and tax system has positive and significant influence on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south of Nigeria. On the basis of the findings, the study concluded that tax determinants such as tax penalty, tax fairness, tax audit, tax system and opportunity for evasion affects the level of sustainable economic growth among micro, small and medium enterprises in South-South Nigeria. The study recommended amongst others that government should expand the tax administration system in Nigeria and strengthen tax collection schemes and follow up procedures on MSMEs. Also frequent tax reforms designed and implemented that would increase revenue generation through tax collection and consequently stimulating sustainable economic growth of Nigeria.