An Investigation into Tax Evasion in Ghana

Authors

  • Robertson Amoah Department of Commercial Studies, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana.
  • Yeboah Asuamah Samuel Department of Marketing, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana
  • Newman Amaning Department of Accountancy, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana
  • Michael Adu-Nti Department of Accountancy, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana

Keywords:

Tax Evasion, Ghana

Abstract

The paper determines the strength of various arguments put out to justify tax evasion in an open but small economy such as Ghana. The study is based on descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey of HND one marketing students of Sunyani Polytechnic who are the targets for the study. The sample was selected using non probability convenience sampling method. Questionnaires were prepared using the Likert scale covering 17 arguments and were distributed to the students during lecture periods. The results from the data analysed was presented in tables. The results indicate that if the tax system is unfair, large portion of the money collected is wasted, and the money collected gets into the pockets of corrupt politicians, then evasion may be justified. There was demographic (gender, age, religion, employment) differences in some of the arguments for tax evasion. Future research should examine why there are differences in opinions using structural models in causal studies.

Author Biographies

Robertson Amoah, Department of Commercial Studies, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana.

He is a lecturer and a former Head of the Department of Commercial Studies of Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana. He is currently a Candidate at SMC in Doctor of Finance programme. His research interest is in international finance and corporate accounting as well as SMEs accounting. He teaches financial accounting.

Yeboah Asuamah Samuel, Department of Marketing, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana

He is a Senior lecturer and the Head of the Department of Marketing of Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana. He holds BA in Economics and Psychology and a Master’s degree in Economics. He is currently a PhD Candidate at Accra Institute of Technology (AIT) in Accra, Ghana and Open University of Malaysia. He teaches principles of economics; quantitative studies and research methodology. His research interest is in Development economics and finance and consumer economics.

Newman Amaning, Department of Accountancy, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana

He is a lecturer at the Department of Accountancy at the Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana. He is a Chartered Accountant (ICAG). His research interest is in international finance and accounting and corporate accounting as well as cost accounting. He teaches taxation and auditing.

Michael Adu-Nti, Department of Accountancy, Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana

He is a lecturer in Quantitative Techniques, Operations research and Research methodology at the Department of Accountancy at the Sunyani Polytechnic, Sunyani, Ghana. He is also a part-time lecturer at Catholic University College at Fiapre, Ghana. His research interest is in international business and finance and mathematical finance and economics. He holds MBA (Finance). He teaches quantitative studies; operations research and research methodology.

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Published

2014-08-04

How to Cite

Robertson Amoah, Yeboah Asuamah Samuel, Newman Amaning, & Michael Adu-Nti. (2014). An Investigation into Tax Evasion in Ghana. International Journal of Empirical Finance, 2(3), 115–122. Retrieved from https://rassorg.com/IJEF/article/view/30

Issue

International Journal of Empirical Finance (IJEF) - Volume 2, Issue 3

Section

Articles