Tax Literacy of Australian Small Businesses

By Brett Freudenberg, Toni Chardon, Mark Brimble and Melissa Belle Isle

Abstract

Small businesses are a critical component of economies, although they face a myriad of issues, including their literacy in relation to a number of key business issues. In recent years tax literacy has been argued as an important part of financial literacy. Research has demonstrated that a person’s tax literacy is likely to be greater when they are self-employed and operate their own businesses. However, whether this increased tax literacy is sufficient to address the labyrinth of issues faced when running a business is questionable. This article reports further evidence about the tax literacy of Australians who have conducted a business in relation to GST, deductions and their compliance attitude. These findings can build the foundation for future work to explore how tax literacy is an important component of financial literacy for small businesses.

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ACADEMIA AS AN INFLUENCER OF TAX POLICY AND TAX ADMINISTRATION

By Michael D’Ascenzo

Michael D’Ascenzo’s article on Academia as an Influencer of Tax Policy and Tax Administration is the first article in this edition. D’Ascenzo looks at how academia can influence tax policy and administration. He rightly in our view recognises that that influence has not been as great as it might or could have been. In examining the obstacles in the way of tax academics being involved in the tax policy and tax administration debates and outcomes, Michael remains optimistic that there is real potential for closer relationships between tax academics and policy makers and administrators. This will benefit not only the academics and tax academy but policy makers and administrators, and ultimately society as well.

Abstract

This paper considers how academia can influence tax policy and administration, highlighting examples where this has occurred. However, overall it concludes that the impact of academia does not appear on its face to have been as substantial as one might have thought. This paper explores the hurdles and conundrums that may have limited the impact of tax researchers on tax policy and administration. The paper nevertheless is optimistic about the potential for a closer engagement of tax researchers with tax policy advisers and the tax administration, and for corresponding benefits in the impact of that engagement. In terms of methodology, this paper is enhanced by the Delphi-type interviews on the topic with a number of relevant stakeholders.

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WHY THE AUSTRALASIAN TRADITION OF LABOUR DEFENCE IS A BARRIER TO A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME

By Jonathan Barrett

The principle of work protection or labour defence has traditionally informed welfare policy in Australasia. By promoting full employment and ensuring employees earn a living wage, government could foster economic security for the unionised workingman and his family. Nordic-style social insurance schemes, which were designed to shelter citizens from market uncertainties, were, in the main, unnecessary. In this patriarchal set up, protected and adequately paid workers could support their families, but could also afford to pay income tax and thereby contribute to the support of superannuated workers. Despite the dominance of neoliberalism, vestiges of labour defence, which privileges the status of employment over a broader conception of inclusive citizenship, continue to inform welfare. Responses to global mega trends, including technologically induced job retrenchment, may require a change in cultural attitudes to work and welfare. This article, which has a specific jurisdictional focus on New Zealand but has wider relevance, argues the tradition of labour defence presents a barrier to inclusive, citizenship-based welfare. In particular, cultural attitudes may militate against a universal basic income, which many believe will become a necessity in the face of potential mass retrenchment caused by robotics.

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