The Influence of Tax Revenue on Government Capital Expenditure and Economic Growth in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the influence of tax revenue on government capital expenditure and economic growth in Nigeria. It specifically evaluated the significant effect of companies’ income tax on government capital expenditure in Nigeria; the level of significance of petroleum profit tax on government capital expenditure in Nigeria; the significant impact of value added tax on government capital expenditure in Nigeria; and the long run relationship between tax revenue and government capital expenditure in Nigeria. The study used relevant secondary data that span from 2009 to 2018 extracted from series of published central bank statistical bulletins. Public finance analysis model (CAPEX= f (CIT, PPT, VAT)) was formulated and was tested with the use of descriptive analysis in the form of minimum and maximum values, mean and coefficient of variation, while inferential statistics in the form of multiple regression, T-Test, Johansen’s co-integration test, coefficient of multiple determinations, F-test, DW-test. Findings revealed that Companies’ Income Tax had a positive relationship with capital expenditure; Petroleum profit tax (PPT) had a negative effect on the financing of government development project; value added tax (VAT) had insignificant positive relationship with total government capital expenditure (CAPEX). It is concluded that tax revenue does not impact the spending on capital expenditure. The study recommended that utilization of tax revenue on public goods will encourage the payment of tax by tax payers.

Keywords: Economic Growth, Government Capital Expenditure, Government Expenditure, Tax Revenue, Taxation

DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-2-05