Background of the Study
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are critical to Nigeria's economic development, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and GDP growth. Tax incentives are often used as a policy tool to support SMEs by reducing their financial burdens and encouraging expansion. In Enugu, SMEs face numerous challenges, including high operational costs, limited access to credit, and inconsistent government support (Ezeh & Nwankwo, 2024).
The Nigerian government has introduced various tax incentives, such as tax holidays and reduced rates for startups, to stimulate their growth. However, the effectiveness of these incentives in driving sustainable growth remains debatable. Recent studies suggest that while some SMEs benefit from these policies, others struggle due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness (Okonkwo, 2023).
This study examines how tax incentives have influenced the growth of SMEs in Enugu, shedding light on their effectiveness and areas for improvement.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the availability of tax incentives, many SMEs in Enugu struggle to achieve significant growth. Issues such as poor implementation, lack of transparency, and limited access to these incentives undermine their effectiveness (Chijioke et al., 2023). Furthermore, the lack of awareness among SME operators about available tax benefits results in underutilization.
The high rate of business failure among startups in Enugu raises questions about the adequacy of existing tax policies. Without addressing these challenges, the potential of SMEs to drive economic growth and reduce unemployment in the region remains untapped.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study focuses on SMEs in Enugu, analyzing the impact of tax incentives on their growth from 2023 to 2025. Limitations include potential bias in self-reported data from SMEs and challenges in obtaining official records on tax policies.
Definitions of Terms
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