Suggestions for the City from Examining Impacts of Non-Economic Factors Affecting Voluntary tax Compliance – Case of Vietnam Businesses

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aimed to examine the impacts of non-economic factors including: Social Norms, Tax Education, Coercive Power of Tax Authority, Legitimate Power of Tax Authority, Tax Information, Service Quality of Tax Authority, and Quality - Public Governance on the voluntary tax compliance of businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Theoretical framework: Findings of Cialdini and Trost, in 1998 in related to standards of effect of non-economic factors in voluntary tax compliance was reported in details, but it will including and not limit to rules constructed and standards (social norms so called) in psychological aspects. This makes a background for presnt study to completing non-economic factor. Design/Methodology: The study used questionnaires to collect date from survey subjects who are accountants, chief accountants and financial directors of businesses in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The questionnaire consisted of 2 parts. The first section included an introduction to the business and participants answering the questionnaire. Part 2 included content related to voluntary tax compliance and factors affecting voluntary tax compliance. With 501 valid responses from the survey subjects, the author test the hypotheses in the research model (Structural). Findings: The research results found that all 7 factors had a significant impact on voluntary tax of businesses in HCM City, Vietnam. Government, tax authorities, and universities basing on this research can come up with more appropriate solutions to enhance the tax compliance (voluntary) behavior of businesses. Research, Practical & Social implication: this study only analyzed the factors of internal enterprise characteristics affecting the high and low level of non-compliance with corporate income tax, but not yet included in the research model to analyze other factors as important as those outside the business, etc. It is really necessary to come up with more appropriate solutions to strengthen the voluntary tax compliance behavior of businesses, increase revenue for the budget, and contribute to the development of the country and society. Originality/ value: suggestions for solutions should be taken to increase the tax revenues for the city is stated in present work. Via our study (testing non econ variables), findings tell us that all 7 factors tested had a positive impact on voluntary tax compliance. They included social norms, legal power of tax authorities, coercive power of tax authorities, tax education, service quality of tax authorities, tax information quality public administration; in which, tax education had the most influence, while coercive power of tax authorities had the least influence.