Effect of Tax Compliance Costs on Tax Evasion by Small and Medium Enterprises

This study examined the effect of tax compliance costs on tax evasion by small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Akwa Ibom State. Survey research design was adopted in realising the objectives of the study. The population (1,887) of the study consists of all SMEs in Akwa Ibom, from where a sample size of 330 was drawn using Taro Yamane model. 330 copies of questionnaire were administered to Accountants and owner/managers of the selected SMEs across the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State. The questionnaire was constructed on a 5-point Likert scale and was analysed using non-parametric tests such as mean, standard deviation and percentages. The questions in the questionnaire centred around tax evasion as dependent variable while independent variables were proxied as cost of registration for tax purposes; cost incurred in engaging tax professionals; complexity in the tax system; cost incurred in keeping books and accounting records for tax purposes; cost incurred in obtaining tax education information and changes in tax policy; time spent for tax purposes and cost implication of such time element. The findings of the study shows that 90% of the respondents agreed that the cost incurred by SMEs in registration for tax purposes is high and that this high costs leads to tax evasion. Also, 91% are in agreed that the complexity in the tax system is the reason why SMEs engage the services of external tax professionals to assist in tax matters and this leads to high compliance cost and the attendant tax evasion. 88% of the respondents agreed that high costs of keeping books and accounting records for tax purpose while those on obtaining information on tax policy is 94%. Also, 93% of the respondents agreed that the time spent by SMEs exclusively for tax purposes encourages tax evasion Finally, 89% of the respondents agree that the combined effect of all costs, other than tax liability, and the time spent in tax processes contributed to tax evasion by SMEs. Based on these findings it was concluded that there is a strong indication that compliance costs greatly affect tax evasion. It was recommended that Government should simplify tax policies in order to reduce compliance costs incurred by SMEs and tax professionals should reduce their charges for SMEs as a way of reducing their compliance costs.