Challenges Facing Taxation of the Informal Sector in Kenya: Case Study of Nairobi County
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Date
2018
Authors
Memu, Pamela Kitinga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KESRA/JKUAT - Unpublished research project
Abstract
The large number of potential taxpayers in the informal sector, and the difficulties of monitoring “hidden” entrepreneurs and small-scale firms, can give rise to serious revenue collection costs for tax authorities in developing countries. At the same time, the revenue potential of taxpayers in the informal sector is fairly modest, as their taxable incomes are usually quite low. According to a World Bank study in year 2006, Kenya’s informal sector constituted 98 percent of all businesses in the country, absorbed annually up to 50 per cent of new employment seekers and had an employment growth rate of 12-14 percent. In the endeavor to realize this goal, KRA faces several problems when dealing with the informal sector. Some of these problems include financial literacy level of the taxpayers, book keeping and capital requirements. Fischer tax compliance model provides a framework for understanding the influence of socio-economic and psychological components on taxpayer’s compliance decision. AS theory holds that the government deters tax evasion through a sanction arrangement and audits. A tax payer will decide to violate the fiscal laws and evade his or her tax obligations when he or she perceives that the cost of evading tax is too low, believing he or she does that he or she is unlikely to be detected or audited. The SMEs are prone to tax evasion as they face difficulties in complying with tax laws. They are expected to comply with strict deadlines, keep proper books of accounts. This kind of environment leads to tax evasion. The study adopted a census research design with a target population of 79. This study used primary data collection through questionnaires while Secondary data was collected from published materials containing the relevant information on revenue collected from the informal sector over a period of stipulated time. The study was analyzed by use of inferential statistics and descriptive statistics by use of SPSS version 24 and the multi regression model was adopted. Findings revealed that there is a strong positive correlation between the variables of the study as shown by the 69.4% while 48.1% of variations in the dependent variable can be explained by changes in the independent variables hence, the remaining 51.9% is representative of other factors not accounted for in the study. Findings reveal that problems like tax complexity; low tax morale, low tax compliance and shadow economy may all be reduced by increasing the level of taxpayers' (individuals') financial literacy. Findings also reveal that most micro-enterprises do not keep books of accounts that will allow them to extract useful accounting information due to lack of accounting knowledge. The study thus recommends that policy makers should introduce stringent measures with respect to tax penalties and fines on the informal sector firms and tax payers who violate and act as an obstacle in the administration of this tax.
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Keywords
Informal Sector