Tax Evasion and the Social Influence Perspective: A Conceptual Model for Palestine

1Hijattulah Abdul-Jabbar, Faeyz M. J. Abuamria, Amjad Abdallah Alkhatib, and Munusamy Marimuthu

129 Views
39 Downloads
Abstract:

Tax evasion is a universal phenomenon that challenges every government worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to propose a conceptual model for understanding factors influencing tax evasion that can be used to study and address tax-related challenges. The proposed modelbuilt upon a review of tax studies from behavioural aspect, particularly the social influence perspective. The current review identified four key variables that likely influence tax evasion behaviour of taxpayer. The variables are: corruption, fairness, ethics, and peer influence. The present model adds to the existing body of tax knowledge from behavioural perspectives. As the compliance behaviour is dependent on individual taxpayers, behavioural factors should be given a serious consideration compared to economic factors, as the former is highly dynamic in nature and change over time. In a country like Palestine, with a high uncertainty, the proposed behavioural framework from social influence perspective would benefit tax administrator in understanding and mitigating the tax evasion phenomenon.

Keywords:

Tax evasion, Corruption, Tax fairness, Ethics, Peer influence.

Paper Details
Month3
Year2020
Volume24
IssueIssue 2
Pages4855-4866