Tax Morale Among Brazilian Microentrepreneurs Facing Potential Exclusion from Simples Nacional: Accountants’ Perceptions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17524/repec.v20.e3864Keywords:
Tax compliance, Tax morality, Tax evasion, Simples Nacional, BrazilAbstract
Purpose: This study investigates Brazilian accountants’ perceptions of tax morale among micro and small entrepreneurs facing potential exclusion from the Simples Nacional tax regime, analyzing the sociodemographic and ideological factors influencing these perceptions. It situates the analysis within the international tax morale literature by focusing on accountants as informed third-party proxies in an emerging economy. The study addresses the following research question: To what extent do accountants’ sociodemographic and ideological characteristics shape perceived tolerance of tax noncompliance among Simples Nacional entrepreneurs?
Method: Using a structured survey questionnaire, data were collected from 404 accountants. The instrument included hypothetical scenarios involving income underreporting, expense manipulation, and improper use of tax credits. Analytical methods comprised descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and correlation analyses to examine how sociodemographic factors are associated with accountants’ perceptions. Robustness checks were performed to assess the consistency of the results.
Results: The findings indicate that male accountants were more likely to perceive clients as willing to conceal financial information. Accountants identifying with extreme right political orientations showed greater acceptance of income underreporting. Additionally, greater knowledge of Simples Nacional criteria was weakly but positively associated with acceptance of improper tax practices. The estimated magnitudes are economically meaningful, suggesting that gender and ideological orientation are associated with variation in professional judgment regarding tax ethics.
Contributions: This study contributes to international debates on tax morale and compliance by integrating behavioral and institutional perspectives within the Brazilian context. It highlights the importance of ethical training programs that address potential biases related to gender and political ideology. The practical implications inform policymakers and professional bodies seeking to promote a fair and ethically robust tax environment. The paper also advances the literature by examining accountants as mediators of tax behavior within a simplified tax regime, providing empirical evidence from a major emerging economy.
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