Effect of Corporate Taxation Policies on Financial Performance of Quoted Firms in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the effect of taxation policies on the financial performance of quoted firms in Nigeria. The study was carried out with an aid of secondary data from annual report and financial statements of First Bank of Nigeria Plc and Zenith Bank Plc from 2010-2015. The study extracted six variables comprising of five dependent variables (Earnings Per Share, Dividend Per Share, Net Profit Margin, Return on Equity and Return on Assets) taken as proxies for performance and one independent variable representing corporate taxation policy. Data analysis were carried out using descriptive, quantitative and comparative approaches, while statistical tools used in testing hypothesis were Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and simple regression analysis. Our findings from result of hypotheses test revealed that corporate taxation policies have significant effect on the earnings per share, dividend per share, net profit margin, but positive and insignificant influence on return on equity and return on assets of quoted firms in Nigeria. Based on the above finding, we recommend that the policy makers should review various tax policies in order to reduce multiple taxation that result in double taxation of company's income. Also monitoring of policy implementation and enforcement should be the sole responsibility of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and State Inland Revenue Service (SIRS) to ensure compliance by businesses and organizations operating in Nigeria. Operators of companies and practitioners in the field must insist on observance of international standards in the preparation of financial reports.