Abstract

Tax incentive is a strategy employed by governments world over to attract investments in varied sectors of their economies. The main objective of this study was to examine the effect of tax incentives on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya, taking manufacturing firms in Nairobi industrial area as a case study for 10 years. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to find out how capital allowance affect financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya, to establish the effect of allowable deductions on financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya and to investigate effects of investment deductions on financial performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study adopted deterrent theory, ability to pay theory, and agency theory. The study employed a descriptive research design, using stratified sampling methods. The study’s target population was manufacturing companies in Kenya specifically in the Nairobi Industrial Area across all the categories as listed by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers directory as at 2022.  The study collected secondary quantitative data which was analysed using descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (correlation analysis) to determine the relationships between the independent variables and the dependent variable. Tables and figures were used to present the analysis output. The findings indicated that tax incentives had a significant positive effect on financial performance, as they reduced the cost of capital for manufacturing firms, promoted innovation and competition, and led to increased productivity and efficiency. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the Kenyan government should continue to provide tax incentives to manufacturing firms and tailor them to the specific needs of each firm, while also encouraging innovation and competition in the sector through support for research and development, technology transfer, and training programs. Manufacturing firms are also encouraged to take advantage of the tax incentives to invest in capital-intensive projects and acquire capital assets. However, there is a need to review the current tax laws to make the tax incentives more flexible and attractive to potential investors, and to consider increasing the amount of tax incentives to further reduce the cost of capital for manufacturing companies.