Relationship between Tax Incentives and Corporate Tax Avoidance Strategies in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between tax incentives and corporate tax avoidance strategies in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The relationship between Tax Incentives and Corporate Tax Avoidance Strategies in Kenya has been a subject of research. Findings indicate that while tax incentives are intended to promote economic growth and investment, they can also create opportunities for corporate tax avoidance. Companies in Kenya have sometimes leveraged these incentives to reduce their tax liabilities through legal but aggressive tax planning strategies, potentially leading to reduced government revenue. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Agency theory, resource dependence theory and political economy theory may be use to anchor future studies on assessing relationship between tax incentives and corporate tax avoidance strategies in Kenya. For practitioners, understanding how tax incentives and avoidance strategies vary across industries is essential. Policymakers should actively engage in global collaboration to address tax avoidance by multinational corporations. International tax policy reforms and coordinated efforts are needed to create a fair and transparent global tax environment that discourages aggressive tax avoidance.