Effect of Multiple Taxation on Financial Performance of Manufacturing Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange

Abstract

The manufacturing industry has been worst affected by numerous taxation measures implemented by the government. These taxes and levies include; corporate tax, VAT, excise duty, custom duty, fire license, occupancy and safety permit, public health license, signage/branding license, among other taxes and fees. These taxes and levies have made it complex to operate a manufacturing business in Kenya. They have increased the cost of doing business and many investors have looked for alternative destination for their investments. In the same respect, other investors have closed their manufacturing operations in Kenya for alternative markets leading to loss of jobs, foreign direct investment, market rating and tax revenues. This research sought to bring out the effect of multiple taxation on financial performance among listed manufacturing firms at the NSE. The research established the effect of corporate tax, excise duty and custom duty on financial performance among listed manufacturing firms. Firm size, liquidity and leverage were used as the control variables in the model. Descriptive research design was used. The 9 listed manufacturing firms were the target population. Research variables data were derived from audited company's annual financial statements from 2016 to 2020. Regression and correlation analysis were used to test the study hypotheses by establishing the correlation between multiple taxation and performance. The results indicated R2 of 0.481 which implied that the selected independent variables contributed 48.1% to variations in performance. The study also found that corporate tax (β=0.210, p=0.000); and Firm size has a significant positive effect on performance (β=0.422, p=0.000) while leverage (β=-0.156, p=0.009) had a negative and significant relationship with financial performance among listed manufacturing firms. Excise duty, custom duty, and liquidity were not statistically significant. The study recommends that the corporate tax being levied on listed manufacturing firms should remain in place as it does not adversely affect performance of manufacturing firms. Manufacturing firms listed at the NSE should diligently pay the corporate taxes due as this will enhance their performance.