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Compliance Burden and Tax Gap Among Micro and Small Businesses: Evidence From Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • James Atta Peprah
  • Francis Kwaw Andoh
  • Eric Atsu Avorkpo
  • Kwabena Nkansah Dafor
  • Benedict Afful Jr
  • Camara Kwasi Obeng

Abstract

The question of how much of the potential tax revenue is actually obtained remains very critical in Ghana’s efforts to improve domestic revenue mobilization. This paper computes and examines tax gap and compliance burden among micro and small businesses which constitute more than 90% of Ghana’s informal economy. Using data on 485 businesses in Ghana, the study finds that while some businesses underpay their taxes, surprisingly others actually pay more than expected. The average tax gap is computed to be about GHC 109.2 (US$19.2). Small businesses are associated with a higher tax gap of 24.9% compared to their micro counterparts. Moreover, we find that as compliance burden increases, the tax gap also increases, albeit significant variation in the effect of compliance burden on tax gap across regions and different tax handles. JEL Classification: H25, H26, H27, H32

Suggested Citation

  • James Atta Peprah & Francis Kwaw Andoh & Eric Atsu Avorkpo & Kwabena Nkansah Dafor & Benedict Afful Jr & Camara Kwasi Obeng, 2022. "Compliance Burden and Tax Gap Among Micro and Small Businesses: Evidence From Ghana," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:12:y:2022:i:4:p:21582440221126985
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440221126985
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Agbanyo & Godwin Musah & James Ntiamoah Doku & Joseph Quarshie & Nyuregbee Yahbewobr Dery, 2024. "Perceived political corruption and tax compliance intentions among private enterprises in emerging economies: The roles of tax morale and tax tolerance in Ghana," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(4), pages 2063-2095, May.
    2. Neba Bhalla & Rakesh Kumar Sharma & Inderjit Kaur, 2023. "Effect of Goods and Service Tax System on Business Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, June.
    3. Thomas Appiah & Daniel Domeher & Joseph Akadeagre Agana, 2024. "Tax Knowledge, Trust in Government, and Voluntary Tax Compliance: Insights From an Emerging Economy," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(2), pages 21582440241, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    compliance burden; compliance cost; micro and small enterprises; potential tax; tax gap; Ghana;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H25 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Business Taxes and Subsidies
    • H26 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Tax Evasion and Avoidance
    • H27 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Other Sources of Revenue
    • H32 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Firm

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