Abstract

This research is study the effects of multiple taxation on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria. The mortality rate of Small and medium enterprises which make up 95% of the economy is very high and these Small and medium enterprises serve as source of employment generation; innovation, competition, and economic dynamism in the development of Nigerian Economy. Tax policy is one of the factors that constitute the Small businesses’ economic environment. The aim is to investigate the extent to which multiple taxes affect the operation of SMEs in the country using expansionary rate of these businesses as surrogate for growth. Data for the study were obtained through responses from questionnaire designed on a five (5) point Likert scale. Out of 193 questionnaires administered on staff and owners of SMEs on Lokoja – Kogi State, 131 of them were returned representing approximately 68% response rate. The responses were empirically analysed using non-parametric statistics comprising mean score, standard deviation and z-test. The results suggest that multiple taxes have negatively affected the growth of SMEs in Nigeria as many operators of these businesses expressed their unwillingness to venture into new enterprises or expand the existing ones for fear of multiple taxes that continue to take a significant portion of their earnings. The study recommends that government at all level in the country should address the issue of multiple taxes on SMEs by restricting to collecting only those taxes within their tax jurisdiction as stipulated by law. Further, provision should be made in Nigeria. Tax laws for stiff penalties against any tier of government, tax officials and tax agencies using orthodox, unfriendly and illegal means to enforce multiple taxes on operators of SMEs in Nigeria.

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