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Abstract
This research explores the intricate relationship between income tax policies and work motivation within organizational contexts. The study aims to empirically examine how income tax influences work motivation and to provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing organizational policies and practices. Adopting a quantitative descriptive research design, data were collected through surveys or structured interviews from a diverse sample of employees across different industries. The analysis revealed that the tax burden and disposable income significantly impact employees' financial incentives and disincentives for work. Moreover, perceptions of tax fairness and distributive justice play a crucial role in shaping employees' attitudes toward work and organizational commitment. The findings underscore the need for organizations to consider the psychological and behavioral responses of employees to income tax policies and to develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts on work motivation. Key recommendations include fostering trust between taxpayers and tax authorities, promoting perceptions of fairness in tax policies, and creating a supportive organizational environment. This study contributes to advancing knowledge in both academic and practical realms, facilitating informed decision-making for organizational leaders and policymakers.
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References
- Alm, J., & Torgler, B. (2006). Culture differences and tax morale in the United States and in Europe. Journal of Economic Psychology, 27(2), 224-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2005.09.002
- Armstrong, M., & Murlis, H. (2007). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
- Blasi, J. R., Kroumova, M., & Kruse, D. L. (2021). Incentives and the structure of employee ownership. ILR Review, 74(1), 6-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019793919876075
- Bollinger, C., Leslie, C., & Scafidi, B. (2020). The impact of tax complexity on tax compliance: The case of small business. Contemporary Accounting Research, 37(3), 1601-1629. https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12514
- Brown, R., & Jacobs, B. (2021). The impact of digitalization on tax systems. OECD Taxation Working Papers, No. 54, OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/833a9e7e-en
- Chetty, R., Looney, A., & Kroft, K. (2011). Salience and taxation: Theory and evidence. American Economic Review, 101(6), 1145-1177. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.101.6.1145
- Cummings, R. G., Martinez-Vazquez, J., McKee, M., & Torgler, B. (2019). Tax compliance, tax morale, and governance quality. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 160, 288-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2019.02.016
- Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
- Feld, L. P., & Tyran, J. R. (2002). Tax evasion and voting: An experimental analysis. Kyklos, 55(2), 197-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6435.00191
- Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Self‐determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(4), 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2398
- Gangl, K., Hofmann, E., & Kirchler, E. (2017). Tax authorities' interaction with taxpayers: A conception of compliance in social dilemmas by power and trust. New Ideas in Psychology, 45, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2016.10.002
- Grant, A. M. (2019). Work and motivation. In The Oxford Handbook of Work and Organization (pp. 1-24). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198295570.013.13
- Harriss, C. (1985). Measuring the effects of taxation on output in a model with endogenous capital and labour. The Economic Journal, 95(377), 399-410. https://doi.org/10.2307/2232988
- Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Sage Publications.
- Jones, M. D., Pew, R. W., & Schneider, M. (2022). Longitudinal research: Theory, design, and interpretation. Sage Publications.
- Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263-291. https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
- Kirchler, E., Hoelzl, E., & Wahl, I. (2008). Enforced versus voluntary tax compliance: The “slippery slope” framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(2), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.05.004
- Kirchler, E., Hoelzl, E., & Wahl, I. (2008). Enforced versus voluntary tax compliance: The “slippery slope” framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(2), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.05.004
- Kleven, H. J., Knudsen, M. B., Kreiner, C. T., Pedersen, S., & Saez, E. (2016). Unwilling or unable to cheat? Evidence from a tax audit experiment in Denmark. Econometrica, 84(1), 1-53. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA11581
- Latham, G. P., & Locke, E. A. (2019). New developments in and directions for goal-setting research. European Psychologist, 24(4), 321-331. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000373
- Li, Y., Parker, S. K., & Diefendorff, J. M. (2022). Goal regulation at work: A self-regulation perspective on goal orientations, work engagement, and job performance. Journal of Management, 48(2), 235-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206319888369
- Mankiw, N. G., Weinzierl, M., & Yagan, D. (2019). Optimal taxation in theory and practice. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(4), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.33.4.1
- O'Leary, C., & Weir, C. (2023). The impact of tax system complexity on small business tax compliance and performance: Evidence from Ireland. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 106-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2022.2063425
- Patel, P. C., & Gupta, V. K. (2021). Organizational culture and leadership in fostering a motivating work environment. In Handbook of Organizational Culture and Climate (pp. 287-303). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788973068.00025
- Piketty, T. (2020). Capital and ideology. Harvard University Press.
- Rauh, C. (2019). Who benefits from state corporate tax cuts? A local labor markets approach with heterogeneous firms. Journal of Public Economics, 179, 104086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2019.104086
- Rick, K. (2017). Taxation and motivation: A review of recent literature. Journal of Taxation, 126(3), 112-120.
- Rick, K. (2018). Taxation and motivation: The role of attitudes towards redistribution and government intervention. Journal of Economic Psychology, 64, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2018.01.002
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.
- Slemrod, J., & Yitzhaki, S. (2002). Tax avoidance, evasion, and administration. National Tax Journal, 55(1), 57-75. https://doi.org/10.17310/ntj.2002.1.03
- Smith, A., & Johnson, B. (2022). Taxation and labor supply of high-income earners: Evidence from the tax cliff. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 14(1), 186-222. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20170312
- Stephan, G. (1975). The effect of taxes on market productivity: A study of the liquor tax. Journal of Political Economy, 83(4), 859-876. https://doi.org/10.1086/260352
- Thaler, R. H. (2016). Behavioral economics: Past, present, and future. American Economic Review, 106(7), 1577-1600. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.106.7.1577
- Torgler, B., Schaffner, M., & Macintyre, A. (2020). Tax morale and political orientation: Left-wing versus right-wing governments. European Journal of Political Economy, 63, 101887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2019.101887
References
Alm, J., & Torgler, B. (2006). Culture differences and tax morale in the United States and in Europe. Journal of Economic Psychology, 27(2), 224-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2005.09.002
Armstrong, M., & Murlis, H. (2007). Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers.
Blasi, J. R., Kroumova, M., & Kruse, D. L. (2021). Incentives and the structure of employee ownership. ILR Review, 74(1), 6-32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0019793919876075
Bollinger, C., Leslie, C., & Scafidi, B. (2020). The impact of tax complexity on tax compliance: The case of small business. Contemporary Accounting Research, 37(3), 1601-1629. https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12514
Brown, R., & Jacobs, B. (2021). The impact of digitalization on tax systems. OECD Taxation Working Papers, No. 54, OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/833a9e7e-en
Chetty, R., Looney, A., & Kroft, K. (2011). Salience and taxation: Theory and evidence. American Economic Review, 101(6), 1145-1177. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.101.6.1145
Cummings, R. G., Martinez-Vazquez, J., McKee, M., & Torgler, B. (2019). Tax compliance, tax morale, and governance quality. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 160, 288-307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2019.02.016
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Springer Science & Business Media.
Feld, L. P., & Tyran, J. R. (2002). Tax evasion and voting: An experimental analysis. Kyklos, 55(2), 197-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-6435.00191
Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2020). Self‐determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 41(4), 395-407. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2398
Gangl, K., Hofmann, E., & Kirchler, E. (2017). Tax authorities' interaction with taxpayers: A conception of compliance in social dilemmas by power and trust. New Ideas in Psychology, 45, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2016.10.002
Grant, A. M. (2019). Work and motivation. In The Oxford Handbook of Work and Organization (pp. 1-24). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198295570.013.13
Harriss, C. (1985). Measuring the effects of taxation on output in a model with endogenous capital and labour. The Economic Journal, 95(377), 399-410. https://doi.org/10.2307/2232988
Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture's consequences: International differences in work-related values. Sage Publications.
Jones, M. D., Pew, R. W., & Schneider, M. (2022). Longitudinal research: Theory, design, and interpretation. Sage Publications.
Kahneman, D., & Tversky, A. (1979). Prospect theory: An analysis of decision under risk. Econometrica, 47(2), 263-291. https://doi.org/10.2307/1914185
Kirchler, E., Hoelzl, E., & Wahl, I. (2008). Enforced versus voluntary tax compliance: The “slippery slope” framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(2), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.05.004
Kirchler, E., Hoelzl, E., & Wahl, I. (2008). Enforced versus voluntary tax compliance: The “slippery slope” framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(2), 210-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2007.05.004
Kleven, H. J., Knudsen, M. B., Kreiner, C. T., Pedersen, S., & Saez, E. (2016). Unwilling or unable to cheat? Evidence from a tax audit experiment in Denmark. Econometrica, 84(1), 1-53. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA11581
Latham, G. P., & Locke, E. A. (2019). New developments in and directions for goal-setting research. European Psychologist, 24(4), 321-331. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000373
Li, Y., Parker, S. K., & Diefendorff, J. M. (2022). Goal regulation at work: A self-regulation perspective on goal orientations, work engagement, and job performance. Journal of Management, 48(2), 235-260. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206319888369
Mankiw, N. G., Weinzierl, M., & Yagan, D. (2019). Optimal taxation in theory and practice. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(4), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.33.4.1
O'Leary, C., & Weir, C. (2023). The impact of tax system complexity on small business tax compliance and performance: Evidence from Ireland. Journal of Small Business Management, 61(1), 106-132. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2022.2063425
Patel, P. C., & Gupta, V. K. (2021). Organizational culture and leadership in fostering a motivating work environment. In Handbook of Organizational Culture and Climate (pp. 287-303). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788973068.00025
Piketty, T. (2020). Capital and ideology. Harvard University Press.
Rauh, C. (2019). Who benefits from state corporate tax cuts? A local labor markets approach with heterogeneous firms. Journal of Public Economics, 179, 104086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2019.104086
Rick, K. (2017). Taxation and motivation: A review of recent literature. Journal of Taxation, 126(3), 112-120.
Rick, K. (2018). Taxation and motivation: The role of attitudes towards redistribution and government intervention. Journal of Economic Psychology, 64, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2018.01.002
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2017). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness. Guilford Press.
Slemrod, J., & Yitzhaki, S. (2002). Tax avoidance, evasion, and administration. National Tax Journal, 55(1), 57-75. https://doi.org/10.17310/ntj.2002.1.03
Smith, A., & Johnson, B. (2022). Taxation and labor supply of high-income earners: Evidence from the tax cliff. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 14(1), 186-222. https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20170312
Stephan, G. (1975). The effect of taxes on market productivity: A study of the liquor tax. Journal of Political Economy, 83(4), 859-876. https://doi.org/10.1086/260352
Thaler, R. H. (2016). Behavioral economics: Past, present, and future. American Economic Review, 106(7), 1577-1600. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.106.7.1577
Torgler, B., Schaffner, M., & Macintyre, A. (2020). Tax morale and political orientation: Left-wing versus right-wing governments. European Journal of Political Economy, 63, 101887. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2019.101887