Cooperative tax compliance: From deterrence to deference

Author(s)

Erich Kirchler, Christoph Kogler, Stephan Mühlbacher

Abstract

The prevailing neoclassical economic view in tax-behavior research is that trust is good, but control is better. The advice for combating tax evasion is to deter illegal behavior with rigid audits and harsh fines. But control and punishment may have unintended side effects; therefore, psychological variables (e.g., attitudes toward taxation, social norms, and perceived fairness) are receiving increased attention. The slippery-slope framework integrates both economic and psychological perspectives on tax compliance. It assumes that taxpayers abide by the law either because they fear detection and fines (enforced compliance) or because they feel an obligation to honestly contribute their share (voluntary cooperation). Whereas enforced compliance depends on the power of authorities, voluntary cooperation originates from taxpayers' trust in the authorities. A growing body of empirical research supports this framework's assumptions. The psychological approach to tax behavior has led to a change in tax authorities' practices for regulating citizen behavior. Under the labels of "enhanced relationships," "horizontal monitoring," and "fair-play initiatives," several European countries are advancing cooperative strategies with taxpayers.

Organisation(s)

Department of Occupational, Economic and Social Psychology

Journal

Current Directions in Psychological Science

Volume

23

Pages

87-92

No. of pages

6

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721413516975

Publication date

2014

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

501002 Applied psychology

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Psychology

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/af937b11-7c38-48a2-ac55-ec371a457084