Do Tax Policies in Nigeria Have Similar Implications for the Manufacturing Sector Output?

Abstract

The study examines whether tax policies in Nigeria have similar implications on the manufacturing sector’s output during the 1994Q1-2020Q4 period using the ARDL bounds testing approach. The bounds testing result suggests the presence of cointegration between tax policies and the manufacturing sector output. Further, the estimation results demonstrate that company income tax (CIT) and import tax are positively related to manufacturing sector output. In contrast, value-added tax (VAT) has a negative effect on the manufacturing sector output, both in the short- and longterm. In addition, the results of the Granger causality test indicate a unidirectional causal relationship running from tax policies to the manufacturing sector output and not vice versa. Thus, policies and measures are recommended to prioritize the CIT and import tax, review the assortment in the VAT, and ensure accountability and transparency in the tax system.