This study contributes to the body of knowledge on tax compliance costs to small businesses by pioneering research in South Africa on four fronts. Firstly, the study is the first to comprehensively quantify small business tax compliance costs – establishing a baseline against which future research can be benchmarked. Secondly, the study established that small businesses perceive tax compliance benefits to exist, but found that the respondents were generally unable to quantify them. Thirdly, it evaluated the perceived impact of the major small business tax concessions on the level of tax compliance costs incurred by small businesses. Finally, the study used regression analyses to evaluate the drivers or determinants of internal and external tax compliance costs. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretroia, 2013 / lk2014 / Taxation / unrestricted

This paper examines whether US regulation related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) improves firms’ CSR performance. This inquiry is motivated by increasing stakeholder interest in firms’ CSR activities and reporting, as well as questions of increasing regulatory burden over time and government failure to adequately address societal challenges. First, I develop a measure of firms’ CSR regulatory exposure by extracting federal agencies’ regulatory analysis, and applying a machine-learning model for industry classification. Second, I confirm theoretical expectations that more stringent CSR-related rules are associated with higher firm CSR performance in the regulated areas, but with lower CSR performance in the unregulated areas. The result suggests a likely trade-off in firms’ responses to CSR regulation. Cross-sectional tests show that financial constraint (regulatory uncertainty) elevates (reduces) such tradeoffs. Using narrow passage of congressional bills as an exogenous shock to firms’ CSR regulatory exposure, I also provide causal evidence on such tradeoffs.

Nesta pesquisa foram analisados os riscos tributários relacionados à conformidade tributária paulista concernente ao ICMS. Para obter dados em profundidade com vistas a alcançar o objetivo da pesquisa, utilizou-se de um estudo de caso de uma indústria que implantou um gerenciamento de riscos tributários, até então inexistente. Através de entrevistas e observações realizadas no ambiente da empresa, foi possível delinear os processos e procedimentos pertinentes ao ICMS paulista, e socorrendo-se à metodologia sugerida pelo Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) para o gerenciamento de riscos, identificou-se os seus componentes. O gerenciamento de riscos tributários foi analisado, buscou-se identificar e avaliar os riscos e os fatores que os desencadeiam, descrever as atividades de controle e as respostas aos riscos implantadas que causam impacto nos custos de conformidade tributária. Avaliou-se as metodologias de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa de mensuração de riscos, e foram encontrados pontos fracos e fortes em ambas as metodologias. Observou-se que a percepção da empresa sobre os riscos tributários não possui completa aderência com a avaliação quantitativa. Os recursos humanos foram identificados como o fator de risco mais relevante dentro do ambiente da empresa investigada. Verificou-se também que ao estabelecer as atividades de controle e resposta aos riscos tributários, incorre-se em uma elevação nos custos de conformidade tributária, mas este impacto é mitigado pela redução à exposição dos riscos tributários. / In this research were analyzed the tax risks for São Paulo tax compliance related to the ICMS. To get data in depth in order to achieve the objective of the present research, it was used a case study of an industry that has implemented a management of tax risks, which didnt exist until then. Through interviews and observations implemented in the environment of the company, it was possible to outline the processes and procedures related to ICMS of São Paulo, and being helped by the methodology suggested by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) for the management of risks, its components were identified. The management of tax risks was analyzed, it was tried to identify and to assess the risks and factors that trigger them, describe the implemented activities of control and the responses to the tax risks that impact on the tax compliance costs. The quantitative and qualitative methodologies of risk measurement were evaluated, and were found strengths and weaknesses in both methodologies. It was observed that the perception of the company on the tax risks has no complete adherence with the quantitative evaluation. The human resources were identified as being the most relevant risk factor within the environment of the investigated company. It was also found that while establishing the control activities and response to the tax risks, it incurs an increase in the tax compliance costs, but this impact is mitigated by the reduction to the exposure of tax risks.

The risk of food insecurity in the form of higher food prices has prompted policymakers in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to revise their approach to biofuel development. The US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and EU Directive 2009/28/EC require long term use of renewable energy in transportation, subject to sustainability. This thesis examines the implications of the US RFS and EU Directive 2009/28/EC in a trade context using a partial equilibrium/comparative static framework. The focus is on the effect of the revised biofuels policies on opportunities for developing countries to supply the US and/or EU markets. For the US, the implications when the volume produced and/or required under the RFS is technologically infeasible with imports of ethanol as a potential policy alternative are explored. For the EU, the impact of the sustainability criteria on foreign biodiesel suppliers in terms of compliance cost is examined. In general, the US policy may enhance opportunities for trade while the EU policy will likely inhibit trade. A discussion of the implications of the mandates for developing countries and WTO is included.

The risk of food insecurity in the form of higher food prices has prompted policymakers in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to revise their approach to biofuel development. The US Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and EU Directive 2009/28/EC require long term use of renewable energy in transportation, subject to sustainability. This thesis examines the implications of the US RFS and EU Directive 2009/28/EC in a trade context using a partial equilibrium/comparative static framework. The focus is on the effect of the revised biofuels policies on opportunities for developing countries to supply the US and/or EU markets. For the US, the implications when the volume produced and/or required under the RFS is technologically infeasible with imports of ethanol as a potential policy alternative are explored. For the EU, the impact of the sustainability criteria on foreign biodiesel suppliers in terms of compliance cost is examined. In general, the US policy may enhance opportunities for trade while the EU policy will likely inhibit trade. A discussion of the implications of the mandates for developing countries and WTO is included.

This study examines the compliance cost of current and proposed environmental and species regulations on Ontario beef cattle farms. A mathematical programming model was used to simulate regulatory scenarios under the Ontario Nutrient Management Act (2002), the Ontario Clean Water Act (2007) and the Ontario Endangered Species Act (2007). Both the feedlot and cow-calf models are examined using a uniform manure application and optimal nutrient management strategy in each scenario. Under the Nutrient Management Act, feedlot operations using a uniform application strategy face compliance costs of up to 3.09%, but can eliminate compliance costs altogether by switching to an optimal nutrient application strategy. Compliance costs for cow-calf farmers are up to 9.57% under a land reduction scenario and 8.68% with a previously proposed land restriction. The Endangered Species Act scenario causes cow-calf farmers to face compliance costs of up to 6.60% due to restricted use of alfalfa and pasture land. / OMAFRA

Nesta pesquisa foram analisados os riscos tributários relacionados à conformidade tributária paulista concernente ao ICMS. Para obter dados em profundidade com vistas a alcançar o objetivo da pesquisa, utilizou-se de um estudo de caso de uma indústria que implantou um gerenciamento de riscos tributários, até então inexistente. Através de entrevistas e observações realizadas no ambiente da empresa, foi possível delinear os processos e procedimentos pertinentes ao ICMS paulista, e socorrendo-se à metodologia sugerida pelo Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) para o gerenciamento de riscos, identificou-se os seus componentes. O gerenciamento de riscos tributários foi analisado, buscou-se identificar e avaliar os riscos e os fatores que os desencadeiam, descrever as atividades de controle e as respostas aos riscos implantadas que causam impacto nos custos de conformidade tributária. Avaliou-se as metodologias de natureza quantitativa e qualitativa de mensuração de riscos, e foram encontrados pontos fracos e fortes em ambas as metodologias. Observou-se que a percepção da empresa sobre os riscos tributários não possui completa aderência com a avaliação quantitativa. Os recursos humanos foram identificados como o fator de risco mais relevante dentro do ambiente da empresa investigada. Verificou-se também que ao estabelecer as atividades de controle e resposta aos riscos tributários, incorre-se em uma elevação nos custos de conformidade tributária, mas este impacto é mitigado pela redução à exposição dos riscos tributários. / In this research were analyzed the tax risks for São Paulo tax compliance related to the ICMS. To get data in depth in order to achieve the objective of the present research, it was used a case study of an industry that has implemented a management of tax risks, which didnt exist until then. Through interviews and observations implemented in the environment of the company, it was possible to outline the processes and procedures related to ICMS of São Paulo, and being helped by the methodology suggested by the Committee of Sponsoring Organization of the Treadway Commission (COSO) for the management of risks, its components were identified. The management of tax risks was analyzed, it was tried to identify and to assess the risks and factors that trigger them, describe the implemented activities of control and the responses to the tax risks that impact on the tax compliance costs. The quantitative and qualitative methodologies of risk measurement were evaluated, and were found strengths and weaknesses in both methodologies. It was observed that the perception of the company on the tax risks has no complete adherence with the quantitative evaluation. The human resources were identified as being the most relevant risk factor within the environment of the investigated company. It was also found that while establishing the control activities and response to the tax risks, it incurs an increase in the tax compliance costs, but this impact is mitigated by the reduction to the exposure of tax risks.

No description available.

This study compared the turnover tax and small business corporation tax systems in South Africa as applicable to micro and small businesses. Misinformed perceptions of the turnover tax system were the motivation for this study. A three phase approach was adopted to conduct this study, the phases being literature review, in-depth face-to-face interviews and quantitative analysis of financial statements which are referred to as case studies. The tax liability was calculated for each of the thirty cases and thereafter a comparative analysis was performed to establish the most beneficial tax system for each case study. The findings for year one revealed that the small business corporation tax system was the most beneficial tax system for fifteen of the thirty cases and turnover tax for the other fifteen cases. Over an average of five years, fourteen cases benefited from the small business corporation tax system and sixteen from turnover tax. There were a number of significant reasons why the above mentioned tax systems were appropriate for each of the thirty cases, one of which being, the type of business or industry where the case is located. The information obtained from this study could inform small and micro businesses about the most appropriate and beneficial tax system for their businesses. In addition the information emanating from this study could be used by tax practitioners to advise their clients on the most appropriate tax system for their businesses. Lastly, the results of this study could contribute to the debate around legislation for small and micro businesses. / Taxation / M. Com. (Accounting)

In Paper [I], we theoretically assess green public procurement (GPP) as an environmental policy instrument and its ability to lead to the achievement of environmental objectives. Central to our analysis is the extent to which polluting firms choose to adapt to the public sector's environmental requirements and to invest in greener technologies. Our main finding is that the potential of GPP to function as an objective-effective instrument of environmental policy is limited and can actually be counterproductive. From an environmental policy point of view, it is crucial that GPP aims for environmental standards beyond just the technology of the polluting firms and that it is designed with reference to defined environmental objectives. In Paper [II], we use data on Swedish public procurement auctions for internal regular cleaning service contracts to provide novel empirical evidence regarding GPP and its effect on the potential suppliers' decision to submit a bid and their probability of being qualified for supplier selection. We find only a weak effect on supplier behavior, and this suggests that GPP, as used in practice, does not live up to its political expectations. However, several environmental criteria appear to be associated with increased complexity, as indicated by the reduced probability of a bid being qualified in the post-qualification process. As such, GPP appears to have limited or no potential to function as an environmental policy instrument. In Paper [III], I examine how GPP is organized in Sweden and how the potential suppliers respond to varying buyer market shares using data on Swedish public procurement auctions for internal regular cleaning service contracts. The level of GPP stringency is found to vary systematically across authority types, buyer market share, and political coalition in the relevant council or in Parliament. The results also indicate quite a substantial dispersion in GPP stringency, suggesting a low degree of coordination among contracting authorities when implementing the policy. After controlling for GPP stringency and other covariates, increased buyer market share is associated with a significant increase in the probability of potential suppliers submitting a bid. The European Commission encourages public authorities to split procurement contracts into multiple contracts in order to increase the competiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). In Paper [IV], I use data from Swedish public procurement auctions for internal regular cleaning service contracts to study the effect of contract size and number of contracts on SME participation and probability of winning. The results indicate that SME participation is negatively related to both contract size and the number of contracts in the procurement. A possible interpretation is that reduced contract size in order to stimulate SME participation is counteracted by reduced incentives for them to enter into procurements with multiple contracts. Medium-sized firms are also more successful when bidding for smaller contracts relative to large firms. Nevertheless, the results indicate that the award rate for SMEs is positively correlated with the number of contracts in the procurement. / Green Public Procurement: An Efficient Environmental Policy Tool?