Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management (ETDs)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Developing countries

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    Double taxation agreements and their relevance for developing countries on the African continent
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2022) Klaas, Matthew
    Double Taxation Treaties have been developed and primarily used as a mechanism to remove double taxation between two independent states. With the onset of increased international or cross border trade it has become critical that governments engage in initiatives to avoid double taxation. African states have not been excluded from this phenomenon, as cross border trade and investment has been seen as a source of economic development for poor African states, and it is for this reason that the development or perhaps expansion of the tax treaty regime is a priority in Africa1. However, given the tax abuses that have beleaguered tax treaties and resulted in tax leakages, coupled with the fact that some tax treaties favour developed rather the developing states. The aim of this research report is to assess whether double taxation agreements are still relevant and whether these agreements provide any benefits for developing countries on the African continent. The research report will do this by reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of DTA’s, including the impact of DTA’s on Foreign Direct Investment and tax leakage on the African continent. The study will assess the different tax abuse’s that have beleaguered DTA’s. The research report will provide recommendations on how to deal with the current treaties in place and where there are no treaties what is the best course of action . The research methodology of this study will follow an analytical approach. This will be achieved by reviewing and analysing Secondary Data, such as Tax Treaties, research reports, textbooks, websites and opinions in articles to determine if double taxation agreements are still relevant and provide any benefits for developing countries on the African continent. The research report will conclude by providing recommendations on how to deal with the current treaties in place and where there are no treaties what is the best course of action. This will be based on the analyses and interpretation of the secondary data.
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    What are the challenges in taxing the informal economy and possible ways to overcome them?
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021) Mbedu, Noluvuyo Bridgette
    Recent years have witnessed increased attention towards the challenges of taxing the informal economy (Joshi, Prichard & Heady 2012:1). However, this research report aimed to argue whether informal economy businesses in South Africa should be included in the tax system, given that the challenges of taxing the informal economy will need to be overcome. Other African countries such as Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon and Ethiopia have attempted to tax the informal sector directly, and some businesses are bribing tax officers to reduce their company's tax payments. If the marginal bribe rate is lower than the statutory marginal tax rate, the company's tax payments will be reduced. (Kundt: 2017:6). Prichard (2012:16) has mentioned that the policy makers focus on the cost and benefits of taxing the informal economy. This research report also aimed to argue about the analysis that is needed to overcome the challenges of taxing the informal economy
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    The relationship between financial inclusion and economic development in developing countries
    (2020) Hlanti, Andile
    Financial inclusion in developing countries has not been explored to the same extent as for developed countries, and there is limited knowledge of what drives financial inclusion in developing countries. This paper looks at the relationship between financial inclusion and economic development in developing countries using an Index of Financial Inclusion (IFI) and three economic development parameters; GDP (PPP), GDP Per Capita and the Human Development Index (HDI). The study found a positive relationship between financial inclusion and economic development in developing countries. This paper analyses a combination of factors associated with the Index of Financial Inclusion by running 20 regression sets of transformed IFIs on two variable sets: aspects of the banking sector and socio-economic variables. The analysis also includes physical infrastructure factors in each regression, namely: transport infrastructure, mobile cellular subscriptions, internet connectivity and fixed telephone infrastructure. The study found that infrastructure requirements that are critical for enhancing financial inclusion in developing countries include: transport infrastructure, mobile cellular subscriptions and internet connectivity. The study further found that socioeconomic factors, such as access to credit, employment opportunities and adult literacy, are also important in ensuring financial inclusion. Certain banking variables hinder financial inclusion, like high-interest rates, while an increase in foreign assets is positively associated with financial inclusion in developing countries. This research ultimately contributes to the body of knowledge regarding financial inclusion in developing countries.