In Indonesian manufacturing, the evasion of tax obligations presents a formidable challenge, diminishing the potential tax revenues accruing to the state. Rooted in agency theory, this investigation seeks to empirically elucidate the interrelations between corporate social responsibility (CSR), profitability, leverage, capital intensity, and corporate tax aggressiveness, with an emphasis on the moderating influence of firm size. Through a causal design and quantitative analysis, this examination scrutinizes data from 66 manufacturing entities listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange over the period 2018 to 2022. The analysis, employing panel data regression techniques, demonstrates that CSR exerts a negative influence on tax aggressiveness, whereas profitability and capital intensity are positively associated with such behavior. Leverage, however, is not found to significantly affect tax aggressiveness. Furthermore, firm size is observed to negatively moderate the relationship between CSR and tax aggressiveness while positively moderating the relationship between both profitability and capital intensity with tax aggressiveness. The moderating effect of firm size on the leverage-tax aggressiveness nexus, however, remains non-significant. These findings underscore the complex dynamics influencing tax aggressiveness and suggest a need for stringent regulatory oversight and enforcement against aggressive tax avoidance tactics deployed by manufacturing firms. Recommendations include the establishment of clearer definitions of unauthorized tax avoidance practices, the imposition of severe penalties for non-compliance, and the enhancement of international collaboration to combat tax avoidance. This study not only contributes to the scholarly discourse on tax aggressiveness but also offers pragmatic insights for policymakers aimed at curtailing practices that undermine state revenue.
The study aims to examine the current state of property tax administration in Zimbabwean local authorities under the conditions of digitalization. Property taxes within the Zimbabwean local tax system are significantly under-collected, necessitating an urgent enhancement of their contribution to local authority budgets. A quantitative research approach was adopted, collecting data through questionnaires from a target population of 60 staff members within an urban local authority. Purposive sampling was employed to select Chief Executive Officers, Heads of Departments, and staff directly involved with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Property Tax Administration, including ICT departments, accounting and finance staff, and engineering departments. Additionally, residential and commercial property owners were conveniently sampled based on availability and willingness to participate, resulting in a total sample size of 46 respondents. The findings reveal a significant positive relationship between Information Technology and property tax administration, suggesting that policymakers should prioritize digitization to enhance effective tax administration. Furthermore, control variables such as population, trade, and GDP were found to have significant relationships with tax administration in Zimbabwe. The introduction of ICTs has been shown to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of property tax administration, underscoring its critical role in the fiscal decentralization of local governments.
This study critically evaluates Board Effectiveness (BE) within Maltese Public Sector Entities (MPSEs), with a focus on five key aspects: board selection and appointment, board role, board composition, board remuneration, and board performance evaluation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-two participants, including eighteen MPSE board members (BMs), a representative from the Malta Institute of Directors, two corporate lawyers, and one corporate advisor. The findings indicate significant deficiencies in BE, particularly due to a lack of transparency in the selection and appointment process. This process is often influenced by political loyalties, which exclude new talent and discourage competent individuals. The identification of BMs as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) further restricts the inclusion of diverse talent, particularly among entrepreneurs. Additionally, insufficient training for BMs and persistent political pressures have been found to hinder the fulfilment of fiduciary duties. Female representation on MPSE boards is notably low, and foreign appointments are rare, thereby weakening the overall board composition. Moreover, the remuneration for MPSE BMs is significantly lower than that in the private sector, adversely impacting the quality of BMs. Resistance to implementing performance evaluations, which could potentially reduce political protection, has also been observed to impede BE. This study underscores the necessity of strengthening corporate governance (CG) practices to enhance BE in MPSEs, which is crucial for fostering a thriving economy and creating a positive legacy for future generations.
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