Tax compliance obstacles encountered by small and medium enterprises in South Africa

Abstract

It is internationally acknowledged that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in enhancing a country’s economic growth and in creating jobs. It is therefore in the public interest and in the interests of all governments to support SMEs. A study concentrating on the tax function in small and medium manufacturing concerns operating in the Gauteng Province in South Africa was recently undertaken. In this article, which is based on the study, the authors identify the main problem areas that manufacturing SMEs in the Gauteng Province have to cope with in administering government taxes. The article discusses the administration process only, and not the taxes themselves. The authors have identified tax compliance requirements in South Africa as a stumbling block for SMEs. They suggest that the government seriously consider reducing the number of taxes SMEs have to administer, reduce the compliance requirements and make additional tools available to SMEs to assist them in administering taxes.

Citation

Abrie, W. and Doussy, E. (2006), "Tax compliance obstacles encountered by small and medium enterprises in South Africa", Meditari Accountancy Research, Vol. 14 No. 1, pp. 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/10222529200600001