Review Article | | Peer-Reviewed

An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt

Received: 24 August 2025     Accepted: 11 September 2025     Published: 26 November 2025
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

This study develops a smart accounting–legal reform model to prevent tax disputes in Egypt by integrating high-quality accounting information, digital audit trails, and simulation-based decision support. A mixed-methods design combines a structured survey of taxpayers, CPAs, and tax officers (n≈280), semi-structured interviews, and a multi-agent simulation calibrated to sectoral risk patterns. The empirical results show that weak documentation and fragmented IT systems are the primary drivers of recurring disputes; by contrast, e-filing/e-audit and early mediation shorten resolution time and reduce escalation. The simulation forecasts that embedding AI-enabled risk scoring and CPA-facilitated pre-assessment reconciliation can lower dispute frequency by 25–30% over five years, while cutting administrative costs relative to litigation. Comparative benchmarks (UK ADR, Canada digital compliance audits, Australia independent pre-litigation review) corroborate the preventive governance approach and inform implementation priorities for Egypt. The paper contributes theoretically by linking accounting information quality, agency incentives, and preventive governance within a simulation-driven framework; and practically by offering an actionable roadmap-digital mediation platform, SME documentation standards, targeted training, and sector-focused pilots-to institutionalize proactive dispute resolution. Overall, the findings demonstrate that sustainable reform depends less on temporary settlement laws and more on accounting transparency, intelligent analytics, and trust-building procedures embedded in everyday administration.

Published in International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12
Page(s) 178-192
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Simulation Model, Tax Disputes, Accounting Reform, Digital Governance, Egypt, Preventive Compliance

References
[1] Abdelsalam, O., & Weetman, P. (2019). Developing accounting systems in emerging economies. International Journal of Accounting, 54(2), 145–168.
[2] Alm, J. (2019). What motivates tax compliance? Journal of Economic Surveys, 33(2), 353–389.
[3] Alm, J., & Torgler, B. (2011). Do ethics matter? Tax compliance and morality. Journal of Business Ethics, 101(4), 635–651.
[4] Amin, A., & El-Shahat, M. (2021). Temporary tax laws and dispute recurrence in Egypt. Journal of Middle East Economics and Finance, 14(1), 44–62.
[5] Andreoni, J., Erard, B., & Feinstein, J. (1998). Tax compliance. Journal of Economic Literature, 36(2), 818–860.
[6] Appelbaum, D., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. (2017). Big data and advanced analytics in external audits. Accounting Horizons, 31(3), 3–19.
[7] Arrieta, A. B., et al. (2020). Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI): Concepts and applications. Information Fusion, 58, 82–115.
[8] ATO. (2023). Annual Report. Australian Taxation Office.
[9] Bahl, R., & Bird, R. (2008). Subnational taxes in developing countries: The way forward. Public Budgeting & Finance, 28(4), 1–25.
[10] Baldry, J. C. (2004). The fairness of tax amnesties. National Tax Journal, 57(2), 345–355.
[11] Barone, G., & Mocetti, S. (2011). Tax morale and public spending inefficiency. International Tax and Public Finance, 18(6), 724–749.
[12] Bartle, J. R., & Ma, J. (2004). Managing financial performance in government. Public Performance & Management Review, 27(4), 360–374.
[13] Bird, R. (2015). Improving tax administration in developing countries. Journal of Tax Administration, 1(1), 23–45.
[14] Bird, R., & Zolt, E. (2008). Technology and tax administration in developing countries. ICTD Working Paper, 14.
[15] Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2018). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
[16] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
[17] Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2015). Business research methods (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
[18] Carnes, G. A., & Cuccia, A. D. (1996). An analysis of the effect of tax complexity and its perceived justification on equity judgments. Journal of the American Taxation Association, 18(2), 40–56.
[19] Christensen, J., Hail, L., & Leuz, C. (2014). Capital-market effects of securities regulation. Journal of Accounting Research, 52(2), 259–305.
[20] CRA. (2020). Taxpayer compliance statistics. Canada Revenue Agency.
[21] Creswell, J., & Plano Clark, V. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). Sage.
[22] DeFond, M., & Zhang, J. (2014). A review of archival auditing research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 58(2–3), 275–326.
[23] Deloitte. (2022). Tax dispute resolution around the world: Comparative insights. Deloitte Insights.
[24] Devos, K. (2014). Factors influencing individual taxpayer compliance behaviour. Springer Taxation Series.
[25] Epstein, J. M. (2006). Generative social science: Studies in agent-based computational modeling. Princeton University Press.
[26] European Commission. (2021). Tax compliance and dispute resolution in the EU. Brussels: EC Reports.
[27] Fjeldstad, O., & Moore, M. (2008). Tax reform and state-building in a globalised world. Taxation and State Building in Developing Countries, 235–260.
[28] Gallemore, J., & Labro, E. (2015). The importance of accounting documentation in tax audits. Contemporary Accounting Research, 32(2), 719–749.
[29] Gangl, K., Hofmann, E., & Kirchler, E. (2015). Tax authorities’ interaction with taxpayers: A conception of compliance in social dilemmas by power and trust. New Ideas in Psychology, 37, 13–23.
[30] Gill, J., & Hedges, C. (2012). International tax dispute resolution: Comparative perspectives. Edward Elgar.
[31] Hair, J., Black, W., Babin, B., & Anderson, R. (2019). Multivariate data analysis (8th ed.). Pearson.
[32] Hanlon, M., & Heitzman, S. (2010). A review of tax research. Journal of Accounting and Economics, 50(2–3), 127–178.
[33] Harrison, J. (2015). Monte Carlo simulation in financial risk analysis. Routledge.
[34] Hasseldine, J., & Li, Z. (1999). More tax evasion research required in new millennium. Crime, Law and Social Change, 31(1), 91–104.
[35] HMRC. (2021). Alternative Dispute Resolution guidance. HM Revenue & Customs.
[36] IMF. (2022). Revenue mobilization in developing countries. International Monetary Fund.
[37] James, S., & Alley, C. (2002). Tax compliance, self-assessment system and tax administration. Journal of Finance and Management in Public Services, 2(2), 27–42.
[38] Jensen, M., & Meckling, W. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360.
[39] Kaplow, L. (1990). Optimal tax enforcement and legal rules. Journal of Public Economics, 43(2), 221–239.
[40] Keen, M., & Slemrod, J. (2017). Optimal tax administration. Journal of Public Economics, 152, 133–142.
[41] Kirchler, E. (2007). The economic psychology of tax behaviour. Cambridge University Press.
[42] Kirchler, E., Hoelzl, E., & Wahl, I. (2008). Enforced versus voluntary tax compliance: The “slippery slope” framework. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29(2), 210–225.
[43] Kogler, C., Muehlbacher, S., & Kirchler, E. (2015). Testing the “slippery slope framework” among self-employed taxpayers. Economics of Governance, 16(2), 125–142.
[44] Lisi, G. (2014). Tax morale, tax compliance and the optimal tax policy. Economic Analysis and Policy, 44(3), 301–308.
[45] Long, S. B., & Swingen, J. A. (1991). The conduct of tax research: An analysis of the methodological approaches employed. Accounting Horizons, 5(4), 33–58.
[46] McBarnet, D. (2004). When compliance is not the solution but the problem. In V. Braithwaite (Ed.), Taxing democracy: Understanding tax avoidance and evasion (pp. 229–243). Ashgate.
[47] McKerchar, M. (2010). Designing and conducting tax research: A guide for researchers in taxation. Australian Tax Research Foundation Monograph, 23.
[48] Murphy, K. (2005). Regulating more effectively: The relationship between procedural justice, legitimacy, and tax non-compliance. Journal of Law and Society, 32(4), 562–589.
[49] Nguyen, L., & van Dijk, J. (2020). Digital transformation and tax compliance in developing economies. International Journal of Public Administration, 43(7), 615–628.
[50] OECD. (2010). Tax Administration in OECD and Other Advanced Economies: Comparative Information. OECD Publishing.
[51] OECD. (2013). Co-operative compliance: A framework. OECD Publishing.
[52] OECD. (2017). Tax Administration 2017: Comparative Information on OECD and Other Advanced Economies. OECD Publishing.
[53] OECD. (2019). Tax Administration 2019. OECD Publishing.
[54] OECD. (2021). OECD/G20 Tax Challenges Arising from Digitalisation – Report. OECD Publishing.
[55] OECD. (2022). Tax Administration 2022: Comparative Information. OECD Publishing.
[56] Palil, M. R., & Mustapha, A. F. (2011). The evolution and conceptual definition of tax compliance. eJournal of Tax Research, 9(1), 32–63.
[57] Pomeranz, D. (2015). No taxation without information: Deterrence and self-enforcement in the VAT. American Economic Review, 105(8), 2539–2569.
[58] Pope, J., & McKerchar, M. (2011). Understanding tax morale and compliance in developing countries. eJournal of Tax Research, 9(1), 61–74.
[59] PwC. (2021). Tax dispute resolution in the digital age. PwC Global Reports.
[60] Richardson, G. (2006). Determinants of tax evasion: A cross-country investigation. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 15(2), 150–169.
[61] Richardson, G., & Sawyer, A. (2001). A taxonomy of the tax compliance literature: Further findings, problems and prospects. Australian Tax Forum, 16(2), 137–320.
[62] Roth, J. A., Scholz, J. T., & Witte, A. D. (1989). Taxpayer compliance: An agenda for research. University of Pennsylvania Press.
[63] Sandford, C. (2000). Why tax systems differ. Fiscal Studies, 21(4), 375–396.
[64] Sandmo, A. (2005). The theory of tax evasion: A retrospective view. National Tax Journal, 58(4), 643–663.
[65] Schmölders, G. (1970). Survey research in public finance: A behavioral approach to fiscal theory. Public Finance, 25(2), 300–306.
[66] Schneider, F., & Enste, D. (2000). Shadow economies: Size, causes, and consequences. Journal of Economic Literature, 38(1), 77–114.
[67] Slemrod, J. (2019). Tax compliance and enforcement. Journal of Economic Literature, 57(4), 904–954.
[68] Smith, A. (1776/1976). An inquiry into the nature and causes of the wealth of nations. University of Chicago Press.
[69] Spicer, M. W., & Becker, L. A. (1980). Fiscal inequity and tax evasion. National Tax Journal, 33(2), 171–175.
[70] Spicer, M. W., & Lundstedt, S. B. (1976). Understanding tax evasion. Public Finance, 31(2), 295–305.
[71] Sterman, J. D. (2000). Business dynamics: Systems thinking and modeling for a complex world. McGraw-Hill.
[72] Stiglitz, J. E. (1985). The general theory of tax avoidance. National Tax Journal, 38(2), 325–338.
[73] Tanzi, V. (1992). Structural factors and tax revenue in developing countries: A decade of evidence. IMF Staff Papers, 39(2), 357–373.
[74] Torgler, B. (2002). Speaking to theorists and searching for facts: Tax morale and tax compliance in experiments. Journal of Economic Surveys, 16(5), 657–683.
[75] Torgler, B. (2007). Tax compliance and morale: A theoretical and empirical analysis. Edward Elgar.
[76] Torgler, B., & Schneider, F. (2009). The impact of tax morale and institutional quality on tax evasion. Journal of Economic Psychology, 30(2), 228–245.
[77] Turner, M. J., & Apelt, N. (2004). Globalization, institutions, and tax reform. Public Administration Review, 64(2), 188–198.
[78] United Nations. (2020). Tax dispute resolution in the era of digital transformation. UN DESA.
[79] Walpole, M. (2010). Tax disputes: The case for ADR. eJournal of Tax Research, 8(1), 61–82.
[80] Walters, R. (2018). Preventive governance in tax policy. Journal of Public Finance, 42(1), 22–37.
[81] Wenzel, M. (2005). Misperceptions of social norms about tax compliance. Journal of Economic Psychology, 26(6), 862–883.
[82] World Bank. (2018). Tax Revenue Mobilization: Lessons from Global Experience. World Bank Policy Research Paper.
[83] World Bank. (2019). Revenue mobilization in developing countries. World Bank.
[84] World Bank. (2021). Tax policy reforms in the MENA region. World Bank.
[85] World Economic Forum. (2020). Shaping the future of tax: Digitization and fairness. WEF Reports.
[86] Yin, R. (2018). Case study research and applications (6th ed.). Sage.
[87] Zahra, S. A., & Pearce, J. A. (1989). Board of director involvement in restructuring. Academy of Management Journal, 32(3), 554–576.
[88] Zolt, E. M. (2018). Tax administration reform in developing countries. World Bank Policy Paper.
[89] Zwick, E., & Mahon, J. (2017). Tax policy and accounting misreporting. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 132(4), 1883–1927.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Lotfy, A. E. A. (2025). An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt. International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management, 10(4), 178-192. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Lotfy, A. E. A. An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt. Int. J. Account. Finance Risk Manag. 2025, 10(4), 178-192. doi: 10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Lotfy AEA. An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt. Int J Account Finance Risk Manag. 2025;10(4):178-192. doi: 10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12,
      author = {Amin ElSayed Ahmed Lotfy},
      title = {An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management},
      volume = {10},
      number = {4},
      pages = {178-192},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijafrm.20251004.12},
      abstract = {This study develops a smart accounting–legal reform model to prevent tax disputes in Egypt by integrating high-quality accounting information, digital audit trails, and simulation-based decision support. A mixed-methods design combines a structured survey of taxpayers, CPAs, and tax officers (n≈280), semi-structured interviews, and a multi-agent simulation calibrated to sectoral risk patterns. The empirical results show that weak documentation and fragmented IT systems are the primary drivers of recurring disputes; by contrast, e-filing/e-audit and early mediation shorten resolution time and reduce escalation. The simulation forecasts that embedding AI-enabled risk scoring and CPA-facilitated pre-assessment reconciliation can lower dispute frequency by 25–30% over five years, while cutting administrative costs relative to litigation. Comparative benchmarks (UK ADR, Canada digital compliance audits, Australia independent pre-litigation review) corroborate the preventive governance approach and inform implementation priorities for Egypt. The paper contributes theoretically by linking accounting information quality, agency incentives, and preventive governance within a simulation-driven framework; and practically by offering an actionable roadmap-digital mediation platform, SME documentation standards, targeted training, and sector-focused pilots-to institutionalize proactive dispute resolution. Overall, the findings demonstrate that sustainable reform depends less on temporary settlement laws and more on accounting transparency, intelligent analytics, and trust-building procedures embedded in everyday administration.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - An Intelligent Accounting-legal Simulation Model for Proactive Resolution of Tax Disputes: Empirical and Comparative Evidence from Egypt
    
    AU  - Amin ElSayed Ahmed Lotfy
    Y1  - 2025/11/26
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12
    T2  - International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management
    JF  - International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management
    JO  - International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Risk Management
    SP  - 178
    EP  - 192
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-9376
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijafrm.20251004.12
    AB  - This study develops a smart accounting–legal reform model to prevent tax disputes in Egypt by integrating high-quality accounting information, digital audit trails, and simulation-based decision support. A mixed-methods design combines a structured survey of taxpayers, CPAs, and tax officers (n≈280), semi-structured interviews, and a multi-agent simulation calibrated to sectoral risk patterns. The empirical results show that weak documentation and fragmented IT systems are the primary drivers of recurring disputes; by contrast, e-filing/e-audit and early mediation shorten resolution time and reduce escalation. The simulation forecasts that embedding AI-enabled risk scoring and CPA-facilitated pre-assessment reconciliation can lower dispute frequency by 25–30% over five years, while cutting administrative costs relative to litigation. Comparative benchmarks (UK ADR, Canada digital compliance audits, Australia independent pre-litigation review) corroborate the preventive governance approach and inform implementation priorities for Egypt. The paper contributes theoretically by linking accounting information quality, agency incentives, and preventive governance within a simulation-driven framework; and practically by offering an actionable roadmap-digital mediation platform, SME documentation standards, targeted training, and sector-focused pilots-to institutionalize proactive dispute resolution. Overall, the findings demonstrate that sustainable reform depends less on temporary settlement laws and more on accounting transparency, intelligent analytics, and trust-building procedures embedded in everyday administration.
    
    VL  - 10
    IS  - 4
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections