nep-iue New Economics Papers
on Informal and Underground Economics
Issue of 2025–12–08
two papers chosen by
Catalina Granda Carvajal, Banco de la República


  1. Fiscal Autonomy and Tax Compliance:insights from Italy’s Municipal Waste Tax By Larysa Minzyuk; Rosaria Vega Pansini; Francesco Vidoli
  2. Contribution to the Study of the Influence of Dematerialized Tax Audits on the Compliance Behavior of SMEs in Morocco By Amal Allouni; Charaf Saidi

  1. By: Larysa Minzyuk (Ufficio Parlamentare di Bilancio); Rosaria Vega Pansini (Ufficio Parlamentare di Bilancio); Francesco Vidoli (Department of Economics, Society & Politics, Università di Urbino Carlo Bo)
    Abstract: This paper investigates the determinants of local tax compliance focusing on Italy’s municipal waste tax (TARI). Despite the 2012 fiscal federalism reform that expanded local autonomy, fiscal evasion rates remain high and not homogeneous across territories. Using a balanced panel of 6, 846 municipalities over 2017-2023, we apply a dynamic panel approach to account for endogeneity, persistence, and unobserved heterogeneity in tax collection behaviour. The results show that civic engagement significantly enhances compliance, while generalized trust exerts a negative effect, suggesting that exclusive social ties may undermine fiscal responsibility. These findings highlight the behavioural foundations of local tax performance and indicate that fiscal autonomy alone is insufficient to foster compliance without supportive social capital. To assess whether these relationships are spatially homogeneous, we extend the analysis by implementing a local System GMM estimation, which reveals substantial regional heterogeneity and underscores the spatially contingent nature of fiscal behaviour. These results call for spatially tailored fiscal policies that integrate institutional capacity with the social foundations of compliance.
    Keywords: Tax compliance, Fiscal federalism, Local taxation, Social capital, Municipal finance, System GMM
    JEL: C23 H26 H71 H77 Z13
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:urb:wpaper:25_02
  2. By: Amal Allouni (UCA - Université Cadi Ayyad [Marrakech]); Charaf Saidi (UCA - Université Cadi Ayyad [Marrakech])
    Abstract: This article explores the compliance behaviors of SMEs in response to digitalized tax audits, highlighting the relationship between the Tax Administration (AF) and SMEs. The study is based on game theory and agency theory to understand the reciprocal influence between the AF, which uses automated systems to intensify tax audits, and SMEs, which seek to optimize their tax burden to maximize profits. To achieve this objective, we adopted an interpretative approach with inductive reasoning to deepen our understanding of compliance behaviors. Our qualitative methodology is based on a case study and data collection using two main tools: document analysis and semi-structured interviews. These interviews were conducted with twelve professionals. The collected data were then analyzed using NVIVO software. The results show that digitalization contributes to improving the efficiency of tax audits and has a dual influence on SMEs' behaviors: in terms of compliance with regulations on one hand, and by increasing the perceived tax pressure on the other. Recommendations have been made to strengthen collaboration between the AF and SMEs, notably by simplifying access to digital platforms through detailed guides and specific training. It is also suggested to apply deterrent sanctions, such as financial penalties, along with incentives like tax reductions.
    Abstract: Cet article explore les comportements de conformité des PME face au contrôle fiscal dématérialisé, en mettant en lumière la relation entre l'Administration Fiscale (AF) et les PME. L'étude repose sur les théories de jeux et de l'agence pour comprendre l'influence réciproque entre l'AF, qui utilise des systèmes automatisés pour intensifier les contrôles fiscaux, et les PME, qui cherchent à optimiser leur charge fiscale pour maximiser leurs bénéfices. Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous avons choisi un positionnement interprétativiste avec un raisonnement inductif pour approfondir notre compréhension des comportements de conformité. Notre méthodologie qualitative repose sur une étude de cas et une collecte de données via deux outils principaux : l'analyse documentaire et les entretiens semi-directifs. Ces entretiens ont été réalisés auprès de douze professionnels. Les résultats obtenus ont ensuite été analysés à l'aide du logiciel NVIVO. Les résultats montrent que la dématérialisation contribue à l'amélioration de l'efficacité des contrôles fiscaux et influencée doublement les comportements des PME : en matière de conformité aux règles d'une part, et en accentuant la pression fiscale ressentie d'autre part. Des recommandations ont été formulées pour renforcer la collaboration entre l'AF et les PME, notamment en simplifiant l'accès aux plateformes numériques par le biais de guides détaillés et de formations spécifiques. Il est également suggéré d'appliquer des sanctions dissuasives, telles que des pénalités financières, et des incitations comme des réductions d'impôts.
    Keywords: Digitalization, Tax audit, Tax compliance, SMEs, conformité fiscale, PME, Contrôle fiscal, Dématérialisation
    Date: 2025–10–11
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05313847

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