Islamic Perspective on the Impact of Ethics and Tax for Nigerian Economic Development

Abstract

The tax system, policies, and structures have been one of the significant factors that directly affect the social and economic activities of any nation. Despite the importance of tax, the attitude of the taxpayers, their reaction concerning tax, could in greater sense facilitate or draw back the policies and system from their original intention and purposes, particularly from an Islamic perspective. Islamic tax income is for the benefits of poor, needy and less privileged people in the society. Even though, policies on tax approved tax avoidance and made it legal, however, tax evasion is illegal in all society because it will deviate from its purpose. The most significant point, however, evading taxes by the people is viewed as unethical behaviour in any economy as the consequences could be greater to the economy and society. Several countries used Islamic system of tax because of the ethics of the system and possibly fewer evasions by the Muslims. Given that, with the number of the Nigerian Muslims, adoption of Islamic tax system will improve the revenue generation, and thereby enhance the economic development of Nigerian economy.