Taxation and Economic Growth in a Resource-Rich Country: The Case of Nigeria

Abstract

In this chapter, we examine the relationship between taxation and economic growth in a resource rich country, using Nigeria as a case study. We explore the linkages between availability of higher resource revenue and lower taxation effort of other revenue categories and the effects of these on growth. Ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique is employed in estimating the specified model. Also, descriptive analysis is carried out regarding tax trends and tax efforts in Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of existing tax structures, as well to as examine relevant national and cross-country data. Empirical results reveal that taxation has a significant impact on Real GDP growth rates. However, the proportion of tax contribution to the growth rate falls short of the optimal level in terms of the volume of economic activities and value of total output. Nigeria also lags other African countries with respect to tax effort and as such has a huge untapped potential for enhanced revenue mobilisation. We recommend therefore, that the Government should institute an appropriate tax system with an emphasis on broadening the tax base and in some cases, reviewing upwards the tax rates in order to increase the tax effort as well as ensure optimal contribution of taxation towards economic growth and development.Although tax structures vary considerably across countries, the primary objective of any tax structure is to attain maximum revenue and economic growth with minimum distortions. Different countries have different philosophies about taxation and different methods of tax collection. In the same manner, countries have different uses for their revenue which affect growth differently [3]. Agell et al. [4] have argued that the different uses of total government expenditure affect growth differently and a similar applies to way tax revenue is raised. Romer [5] emphasises factors such as 'spill-over effect and learning by doing' by which firms' specific decisions to invest in capital and research and development, or investment in human capital, can yield positive external effects that benefit the rest of the economy. Solow [6], was the first to examine how taxation affects growth. He argued that steady state growth is not affected by tax policy; that is, tax policy, regardless of distortion, has no impact on long term economic growth rates, even if it reduces the level of economic output in the long term. On his part [7], argued that the different uses of total government expenditure affect growth differently and a similar argument applies to the way tax revenue is raised. The economic growth of Singapore for instance can be attributed to low rates of corporate and personal income taxes. Relatedly [8], argue that there exists a structural difference in taxation in developing countries and developed countries. For developing countries, they established that roughly two-thirds 1 Whereas tax revenues are needed for public investments, including in productive and social and other sectors of the economy, taxation can also ham...

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