MULTIPLE TAXATION AND GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SMES) (A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED HOSPITALITY FIRMS IN IKOT EKPENE).

ABSTRACT This research was on multiple taxation and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). (A case study of selected hospitality firms in IkotEkpene). To accomplish the research objectives, the study adopted the survey research design. The Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size of the study while the convenience sampling method was used to select forty four (44) respondents as the sample size for the study. An instrument of the study was a self-developed questionnaire and the forms were personally administered. Research questions and hypotheses were formulated to guide the study and data were analyzed using simple percentages and chi-square (2) statistical tool. The study revealed that there is a negative effect of multiple taxation on job creation by small and medium enterprises; that there is negative but significant effect of multiple taxation on wealth creation by small and medium enterprises, that there is negative but significant effect of multiple taxation on poverty alleviation by small and medium enterprises; that there is inverse but significant effect of multiple taxation on rural development by small and medium enterprises. Hence it was recommended that a unified tax policy across board should be implemented to eliminate the harmful effect of multiple taxation on the growth of small and medium enterprises. This will help in job creation, wealth creation, rural development and poverty reduction.