Original Research

Factors driving tax compliance costs of small businesses in the South African construction industry

Obert Matarirano, Germinah E. Chiloane-Tsoka, Daniel Makina
Acta Commercii | Vol 19, No 1 | a687 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ac.v19i1.687 | © 2019 Obert Matarirano, Germinah E. Chiloane-Tsoka, Daniel Makina | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 04 July 2018 | Published: 18 June 2019

About the author(s)

Obert Matarirano, Department of Accounting and Finance, Walter Sisulu University, East London, South Africa
Germinah E. Chiloane-Tsoka, Department of Business Management, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa
Daniel Makina, Department of Finance, Risk Management and Banking, University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Abstract

Orientation: Tax compliance costs are regressive in nature and impose a heavy burden on performance and sustainability of small businesses.

Research purpose: The aim of this article was to identify endogenous factors that drive tax compliance costs of small businesses in the construction industry of South Africa.

Motivation for the study: Small businesses in the construction industry face many challenges that result in low-profit margins, poor performance and eventually failure. Tax compliance costs are one of the factors behind poor performance and failure, as often cited by small businesses, and as such warranted an investigation into the factors that drive the costs.

Research design, approach and method: Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires that were emailed to contractors in classes 3 and 4 of the Construction Industry Development Board’s register. A total of 83 usable questionnaires were returned and analysed using the structural equation modelling function of STATA data analysis and statistical software.

Main findings: Statistical tests performed revealed that business size, age, method of settling tax obligations and qualifications of the tax preparer drive tax compliance costs of small businesses in the construction industry.

Practical/managerial implications: Empowerment of employees and owners engaged in tax tasks, through formal education and tailor-made training, reduces the tax compliance burden and improves the performance of small construction businesses.

Contribution/value-add: The results of the study could assist business owners and managers in the construction industry in identifying efficient tax approaches that could minimise the tax compliance costs burden. They also assist with better planning by government departments in terms of the kind of tax support required by small businesses in the construction industry.


Keywords

tax compliance costs; small businesses; endogenous factors; construction industry; corporate income tax; employees’ tax; value-added tax

Metrics

Total abstract views: 3070
Total article views: 4049

 

Crossref Citations

1. Cumplimiento de las obligaciones fiscales y su relación con las infracciones tributarias en la empresa ABC SAC
Emely Bertha Noa Cayalle
Economía & Negocios  vol: 5  issue: 2  first page: 92  year: 2023  
doi: 10.33326/27086062.2023.2.1799