ABSTRACT: The Washington State Department of Revenue conducted a behavioral
field experiment to increase use tax compliance within the construction industry. The
study examined the effects of accountability and heightened sanction awareness on tax
compliance. The results indicate that mandating firms to file an affidavit signed by the
party responsible for reviewing use tax obligations increases compliance. Providing
information regarding the penalty structure for noncompliance through an educational
letter also increases use tax compliance, especially for firms with declining revenues.
This latter finding is consistent with the findings of Jackson and Hatfield (2005). These
results add to taxation literature by finding that inexpensive affidavits and maii-based
education regarding tax sanctions can be effective