The effect of tax rate on sales tax compliance among Jordanian public shareholding corporations

Abstract

Compliance to tax payment generally results in mitigating fiscal deficit and public debt, and in turn, provides funding to meet the economic and social development. However, regardless of the directed efforts of the government to increase sales tax compliance (or value added tax as it is referred to globally), Jordanian listed firms on the Amman Stock Exchange, compliance remains an issue in light of its negative impact on the government revenues. Literature dedicated to tax rate effects on sales tax compliance in the context of listed Jordanian firms on the Amman Stock Exchange has largely been lacking and as such, the study’s main objective is to examine the effect of tax rate on sales tax compliance among such firms. The study adopted a survey method with questionnaire copies distributed to 191 listed Jordanian firms. In the tabulation of data, only 169 questionnaire copies were deemed to be valid for the analysis. The formulated study hypotheses were tested using PLS-SEM and based on the results, tax rate has an insignificant effect on sales tax compliance. Future studies are recommended to provide further insight into the study determinants. The study contributes by furnishing information to and guiding policymakers and the listed Jordanian firms in enhancing sales tax compliance.