COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Elvis Ndembe
TITLE: EVALUATING TAX PREPARERS’ PERCEPTION OF THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT (TCJA) THROUGH THE LENS OF THE TAX MISPERCEPTION THEORY
ABSTRACT: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 represented one of the most sweeping overhauls of the United States tax code. Although credited with reducing statutory tax burdens, the TCJA introduced notable complexity, influencing tax preparers’ behavior and reshaping the tax preparation industry. The TCJA introduced widespread changes to both corporate and individual taxes to stimulate economic growth. However, understanding its impact on the tax preparation industry requires considering how tax preparers perceive tax policies. This study examined tax preparers perception of the TCJA using the Tax Misperception Theory. Applying this theory to tax preparers suggests that tax preparers would have a negative perception of tax law changes due to personal influences ranging from demographics, level of education, tax preparation experience, and political biases. This study leveraged tax preparer response analysis to clarify the unintended economic and professional consequences of the law. This quantitative study used surveys data of 151 respondents from the National Association of Enroll agents NAEA. Overall, tax preparers viewed the TCJA favorably, though their perceptions varied significantly based on their views of the U.S tax system, political party affiliation, and political ideology.
Location Online:
Zoom Link: https://pvpanther.zoom.us/j/6384319954
Meeting ID: 638 431 9954