The study examined taxation and income inequality (GINI), specifically, it determined the impact of Value Added Tax (VAT), Custom and Excise Duties (CED), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Company Income Tax (CIT) on GINI in Nigeria from the year 1990 to 2016. The Cointegration and Error Correction Models (ECMs) were used to analyze the data. Augmented Dickey Fuller unit root was used to test for stationarity. Data were sourced from the Central Bank of Nigerian statistical bulletin, Federal Inland Revenue Service and the National Bureau of Statistics. The result revealed that VAT, CED and PPT had positive relationship with GINI when measured at 5% critical level, though VAT and CED were not significant. CIT had a negative but significant impact on GINI. Based on the findings, we conclude that only CIT was able to reduce income inequality. We therefore recommend that VAT should be imposed on goods and services consumed by high income earners. In respect of CED, government should address the level of tariffs; for PPT, there is need for adequate diversification of the economy; and for CIT, tax authority should harness corporate taxes to its fullness.

This study examined the determinants of tax compliance behaviour under the self-assessment scheme in Nigeria. A non-random stratified sampling technique was used to evaluate taxpayer behaviour. Data was also gathered using questionnaire from three of the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria, namely South-South, South-West and North central zones respectively. The specific locations were Edo state, Lagos state, and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja resulting in 550 respondents which were analysed. The results showed that tax audit and awareness of offences and penalties had a positive and significant impact on tax compliance behaviour under the self-assessment scheme in Nigeria. Simplicity of tax administration and returns, tax knowledge and taxpayers’ integrity had a positive but not significant impact on tax compliance behaviour under the self-assessment scheme in Nigeria. The study recommends that the tax authorities should enhance the capacity of tax audit and ensure that there are sufficient tax officials to facilitate tax audit exercise, create greater awareness of the various offences and penalties through the mass media and undertake an upward review of extant penalties.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the link between firm attributes and tax aggressiveness in Nigeria and South Africa. A comparative analysis was carried out on the variables of firm size, age, profitability, leverage, liquidity, complexity, foreign ownership and tax aggressiveness on banks in Nigeria and South Africa. The study employed the longitudinal research design and took a comparative analysis approach. The population consists of the 13 listed commercial banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the 16 local commercial banks listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The time frame for the study was from 2012-2020. Data collated was analysed using the techniques of descriptive statistic, correlation and panel data regression technique while MAPE and Theil’s inequality coefficient were used in evaluating the forecast abilities of the models. Two alternative measures of tax aggressiveness (GAAP-ETR and D_BTD) were adopted as dependent variables. The panel data collected was analysed. The result of the Nigerian model (using the D_BTD measure) showed that firm size and firm complexity both have a significant positive relationship with tax aggressiveness while firm age and profitability asserted significant negative impacts on tax aggressiveness. The outcome of the South Africa model (using the GAAP-ETR measure) showed that firm age and profitability have a significant negative relationship with tax aggressiveness while firm size and liquidity have significant positive relationships with tax aggressiveness. The study recommends, that regulatory bodies and tax authorities should beam their searchlight on tax saving strategies of small size companies with a view to effectively monitoring their aggressive tax avoidance schemes.

Purpose: The study examined the impact of firm attributes on tax aggressiveness in Nigeria. The study employed the longitudinal research design. Methodology: The population consisted of the 13 listed commercial banks quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The final sample, after excluding firms with incomplete data, consisted of 13 Nigerian banks for a period of nine financial years (2012-2020). Data for the study were collected from the annual reports and financial statements of the selected banks. Two alternative measures of tax aggressiveness (GAAP-ETR and D_BTD) were employed and the data was analysed using the panel data regression technique while MAPE and Theil’s inequality coefficient was used in evaluating the forecast abilities of the models. Findings: The findings of the analysis revealed that firm size and firm complexity have significant positive relationship with tax aggressiveness, firm age and profitability asserted significant negative impact respectively on tax aggressiveness. Recommendations: The study recommends that regulatory bodies and tax authorities should beam their searchlight on the tax saving strategies of small size companies with a view to discouraging aggressive tax avoidance schemes. It was also recommended that regulators should increase their monitoring of the older firms as a strategy for reducing potential tax evasions while encouraging appropriate tax savings strategies to ensure greater tax compliance.