Purpose - The paper aims to analyse the perception SMEs in Sweden have of the corporate income tax system's treatment of online data collection.

Methodology – This study employs a qualitative research approach in which the authors implemented a deductive phenomenological research approach. The paper incorporates both exploratory and descriptive research methodologies as its primary research approaches. These approaches were deemed most suited by the authors to collect both primary and secondary data tailored to the research objectives. The primary data source consists of semi-structured interviews with six Swedish SMEs, selected through a judgment-based approach. An in-depth investigation of the current literature formed the foundation of the secondary data collection.

Findings – The findings suggest that the SMEs studied in this paper address their perceptions of the CITS’s treatment of ODC through (I) Online Data Privacy, (II) Distributional Tax Fairness, (III) Retributive Tax Fairness, (IV) Procedural Tax Fairness, (V) Complexity, (VI) Trust, (VII) Growth Obstruction

Practical implications – The practical implications of this study are valuable for policymakers, SMEs and any type of stakeholders interested in the corporate income tax system's treatment of online data collection. This research can help improve the CITS's effectiveness and reduce the compliance burden on SMEs in Sweden.

Policymakers can leverage the insights and perceptions of Swedish SMEs to modernize the CITS to the 21st century and implement ODC practices that are most suitable according to the SME’s preferences. SMEs on the other hand can leverage the insights and perceptions of this study to gain a better understanding of the CITS and its treatment on the components of value creation, including ODC practices. External stakeholders can use the study findings to gain an understanding of the field of research and implement it according to their needs, such as through the assistance of SMEs in their ODC practices concerning the CITS.

Originality/value – The originality and value of this paper lie in the novel focus on Swedish SMEs' perception of the CITS's treatment of ODC. To the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to explore this topic in Sweden, contributing to the literature on the CITS, ODC practices and the treatment of ODC through the CITS.

Keywords – Corporate Income Taxation, Corporate Income Taxation System, Tax Perceptions, SMEs, The Slippery Slope Framework, Complexity, Distributional Fairness, Retributive Fairness, Procedural Fairness, Growth, Tax Benefits, Privacy, Punishment, Trust

Paper type – Research Paper