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Can e-filing reduce tax compliance costs in developing countries ?

Author

Listed:
  • Yilmaz, Fatih
  • Coolidge, Jacqueline

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between electronic filing (e-filing) and the total tax compliance costs incurred by small and medium size businesses in developing countries, based on survey data from South Africa, Ukraine, and Nepal. A priori, most observers expect that use of e-filing should reduce tax compliance costs, but this analysis suggests that the assumption should be more nuanced. In particular, policies that require business taxpayers to submit paper-based information in addition to their e-filing roughly negate savings that would otherwise be realized. In addition, adoption of e-filing requires an up-front investment by the business not only in capital assets, but also in the time, effort, and resources required to learn how to use e-filing properly and efficiently. Small businesses, in particular, are likely to face a steep"learning curve"and should probably not be forced to use e-filing before the majority of them have access to computers (with reliable electricity service) and have had a chance to become familiar with both computer use and the Internet.

Suggested Citation

  • Yilmaz, Fatih & Coolidge, Jacqueline, 2013. "Can e-filing reduce tax compliance costs in developing countries ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6647, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6647
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. David Alejandro Camargo González & Cynthia Lucía Támara Tafur & Siara Vanessa Deluquez Gómez & María Paula Baptiste González, 2017. "Cuadernos fiscales no. 6. Administración tributaria: reflexiones para Colombia desde el derecho comparado," Books, Universidad Externado de Colombia, Facultad de Derecho, number 974.
    2. Notsu, Naruki, 2024. "Inter-municipal cooperation cloud and tax administrative costs," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    3. Bellon, Matthieu & Dabla-Norris, Era & Khalid, Salma, 2023. "Technology and tax compliance spillovers: Evidence from a VAT e-invoicing reform in Peru," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 756-777.
    4. Okunogbe,Oyebola Motunrayo & Santoro,Fabrizio, 2021. "The Promise and Limitations of Information Technology for Tax Mobilization," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9848, The World Bank.
    5. von Haldenwang, Christian, 2020. "Digitalising the fiscal contract: An interdisciplinary framework for empirical inquiry," IDOS Discussion Papers 20/2020, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    6. Bellon, Matthieu & Dabla-Norris, Era & Khalid, Salma & Lima, Frederico, 2022. "Digitalization to improve tax compliance: Evidence from VAT e-Invoicing in Peru," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    7. Sebastian Eichfelder & François Vaillancourt, 2014. "Tax Compliance Costs: A Review of Cost Burdens and Cost Structures," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 210(3), pages 111-148, September.
    8. Rumbidzai & P. Mutare & Wadesango Newman & Malatji Stephen Khashane, 2021. "The Effectiveness of Tax Systems on Artisanal Miners and Small-Scale Miners," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(4), pages 32-40.
    9. Kochanova,Anna & Hasnain,Zahid & Larson,Bradley Robert, 2016. "Does e-government improve government capacity ? evidence from tax administration and public procurement," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7657, The World Bank.
    10. Shivani Badola & Sacchidananda Mukherjee, 2021. "ICT Adoption and VAT Registration among Unincorporated Enterprises in India: Analysis of Unit-Level Data," Review of Development and Change, , vol. 26(2), pages 153-178, December.
    11. S. Vishnuhadevi, 2021. "Administrative and Compliance Costs of Value Added Tax (VAT): A Review," Review of Development and Change, , vol. 26(2), pages 179-206, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Taxation&Subsidies; Information Security&Privacy; Debt Markets; Information and Records Management; Emerging Markets;
    All these keywords.

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