ENGLISH 2 TAX EVASION IN PAKISTAN (WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ISLAMIC CONCEPT)

Abstract

Tax violation in Pakistan is very high that has led to deteriorated economic situation and lack of public service delivery. The four variables of tax morale are; feelings of guilt and shame; lack of trust on government; perception about other citizens paying taxes; and level of penalties- as determinants of tax evasion in Pakistan. The perception about utilization of money, elements of shame, perception about other citizens’ compliance behavior and level of penalties effect tax violation. However, variables of guilt and perception about corruption do not have significant impact on evasion behavior. Some policy interventions have been suggested to curb the menace of tax violation. These policies include motivating tax payers through methods like hypothecation, imposition of fines and penalties and publishing names of defaulters through media and tax department website. Tax violation is a crime in almost all developed countries, and the guilty party is liable to fines and/or imprisonment. In Pakistan, many acts that would amount to criminal tax violation in other countries are treated as civil matters. Dishonestly misreporting income in a tax return is not necessarily considered a crime. Such matters are handled in the tax courts, not the criminal courts. In Pakistan, however, some tax misconduct (such as the deliberate falsification of records) is criminal. Moreover, civil tax transgressions may give rise to penalties. It is often considered that the extent of violation depends on the severity of punishment for violation.