The Effects of Compliance Cost on Tax Compliance of Companies Listed At The Nairobi Securities Exchange
Abstract
The main issue faced by all tax authorities is that it has never been easy to persuade all
taxpayers to comply with the regulations of a tax system. The study specifically sought to
determine the effect of tax compliance cost, tax education and knowledge, fines and
penalties and perceived opportunity for tax evasion on tax compliance in the companies
listed at the NSE. The study was guided by Theory of Planned Behavior. The study used a
census survey of all the sixty two listed companies. Data was collected using structured
questionnaire, coded, keyed and analyzed quantitatively using both descriptive and
inferential statistics. The study findings showed that compliance cost had the negative
effect on level of tax compliance. However, tax knowledge and education had positive
effect on level of tax compliance among the tax payers. Similarly, fines/penalties had
positive effect on level of tax compliances, while perceived opportunity for tax evasion
had negative effect. The study provides some preliminary evidence that imposing
fines/penalties and provision of tax knowledge and education among these companies
will improve tax compliance. Conversely, high compliances cost and high opportunity for
tax evasion will reduces tax compliance among registered firms. Thus, tax compliance
cost should be in a way that does not encourage taxpayers to evade tax. There should be
stiff enforcement of fines and penalties to deter tax evasion. Additionally, tax authorities
should simplify processes involved in filling of returns and payment of taxes.
Publisher
University of Nairobi