Tax determinants towards self assessment system : the case of corporate taxpayers in Nigeria

Abstract

The self-assessment system is a tax administration system that encourages voluntarily compliance. This system gives corporate taxpayers the ability to calculate their tax liabilities in accordance with the law. The objectives of this study are to examine the determinant the factors that influence corporate taxpayers’ on compliance behaviour. A survey method was used in the study, questionnaires were distributed to 196 public listed companies in Nigeria and 83 of the questionnaires were returned. Multiple regression was conducted to achieve the objective of the survey. The findings in the study reveal that in Nigeria corporate taxpayers’ have knowledge on SAS, they are aware of their responsibilities as taxpayers and the responsibilities of the FIRS. In addition, the results depicted a negative and significant influence between awareness of SAS, SAS responsibility, compliance responsibility, payment compliance and audit functions and compliance behaviour. The study has several contributions, firstly, it contribute to the literature on tax compliance studies. Secondly, it reveals the attitudes of corporate taxpayers in Nigeria towards their compliance behaviour. Finally, it is hoped that the study would be able to assist the tax authority in providing more programmes that would enhance its awareness campaign on SAS particularly in Nigeria.