Exploring the interplay among consumers’ actual use of e-wallets, financial inclusion, and taxation

With the emerging use of financial services on e-wallets and the recent growing interest by revenue authorities in levying taxes on digital services in the Philippines, this study primarily aims to determine the factors leading to the actual use of e-wallets, its contribution to the financial inclusion, and to explore the moderation effect of taxation on their relationship. Quadratic regression and moderation analyses were employed to analyze the relationships among the variables of interest. Results show that most predictors have positive relationships, while facilitating conditions manifest a negative relationship with behavioral intention. Furthermore, while results present a positive relationship between behavioral intention and actual use, this study exhibits a significant but slight negative impact of actual use on financial inclusion. It may appear counterintuitive, as e-wallets are generally believed to promote financial inclusion. However, some barriers should be addressed to reverse and maximize the positive potential of using e-wallets for a more financially inclusive society. Lastly, the interaction term between actual use and taxation reveals a positive coefficient, suggesting that individual negative effects of actual use and taxation on financial inclusion are mitigated when they occur together. An effective whole-of-economy approach that enhances financial inclusion among consumers must be promoted.