A Typology of Tax Compliance in Developing Economies : Empirical Evidence from China's Shoe Industry

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

2 Scopus Citations
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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)242-266
Journal / PublicationLaw & Policy
Volume41
Issue number2
Online published3 Apr 2019
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2019
Externally publishedYes

Abstract

Drawing on fieldwork investigations of shoe manufacturers in southeastern China, this article provides empirical evidence for understanding these business' taxpaying practices. We find that since the legitimacy of tax law is largely absent amongst business taxpayers, instrumental considerations dominate taxpayers' decisions to pay or not pay taxes. We then incorporate “structural opportunities for evasion” and “perceived costs of evasion” to develop a two‐by‐two matrix to understand the following types of behavior: aggressive evasion, obliged compliance, strategic compliance, and reciprocal compliance. We argue that the matrix explains why VAT (value added tax) fraud is widespread in China while voluntary compliance is rare. It also helps to illuminate compliance more generally in developing economies.