Tax Determinants and Sustainable Economic Growth of MSMEs in South – South, Nigeria

This study investigated the influence of tax determinants on sustainable economic growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South-South, Nigeria. A cross sectional survey design was conducted on a sample of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in South-South, Nigeria. The study anchored on the fiscal exchange theory. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. The sample was 535 owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) taxpayers were purposively selected. The data collected was presented with the use of descriptive statistics, while bivariate and multivariate analysis was used in the estimation of the regression model developed for the study. The results suggested that tax knowledge positively and significantly influenced sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south Nigeria; tax compliance cost positively and significantly influenced sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south Nigeria; tax awareness has no positive and significant impact on sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south Nigeria; taxpayers’ perception on accountability positively but not significantly influenced sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south Nigeria and tax rate positively and significantly influenced sustainable economic growth among MSMEs in south-south Nigeria. On the basis of the findings, the study concluded that tax determinants influence the level of sustainable economic growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in South-South Nigeria. The study recommended amongst others that government should continuously invest on tax education both at the basic and secondary levels of education. This can be done by putting in place tax clubs in different schools so that as learners get to the taxpaying brackets they are fully aware of tax responsibilities as well as improve tax information thereby simplifying tax procedures for higher revenue generation for sustainable economic growth.