Students' tax morale in spanish universities: Does gender matter?

Abstract

In the last years, debate on tax morale has intensified in Spain. The deep economic and financial crisis suffered during the last years make citizens be more sensitive to tax measures and dispositions carried out by the Government. Students are not excluded from this trend, as they collaborate from an early age in maintenance of public expenditure in different situations, such as when they purchase goods or services because they pay the Value Added Tax. In addition, when they finish their studies and integrate to the world of work, their tax obligations will increase. Because of these reasons it is important to analyze tax morale or tax conscience, as a determinant factor in the degree of tax compliance. It influences in a direct way the predisposition to fulfil tax rules. In this research, from a sample of 218 undergraduate students of a Spanish university, tax morale is investigated. The study aims to analyze factors that have an influence on it and if there are significant differences among students depending on their gender, that is to say, if the fact of being a woman increases or diminishes tax morale as different studies support (in one sense or another) or not. Education and fair implementation of tax regulation are revealed as key factors to improve the degree of tax morale. As a result of this we conclude that education system must include tax considerations and show greater interest in introducing this subject in their curricula.