GRA to leverage digitization agenda to achieve GHC80.3m revenue target
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has indicated that it is poised at leveraging its digitization agenda to achieve its GHC80.3m revenue target for 2022.
The GRA Commissioner-General, Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, said several innovative ideas have been tabled to be executed in the year aimed at expanding the country’s revenue mobilization system.
He said that the digitization drive for Domestic Tax and Customs Divisions will continue unabated, where the next phase of the Ghana Customs Integrated System (ICUMS) and the Taxpayer portal would be deployed.
“To drive this agenda, the following milestones will be observed: Effective 1 April, 2022, it will be mandatory for all Large Taxpayers to file returns online.”
“From 1st June, 2022, it will be compulsory for selected medium sized businesses and all High Net Worth Individuals to also file returns online.”
“Additionally, we will automate and make requests for Tax Clearance Certificates(TCC’s) easily available. To access Government services, you will be required to have a TCC”, he explained.
He said that prominent on the strategy list is the implementation of the e-levy, which the Authority believes would ensure a “reliable stream of revenue which will enhance our revenue mobilization efforts as a country.”
Mr. Owusu-Amoah also highlighted the piloting of an e-Invoicing system to collect Value Added Tax from 1st April, 2022 with selected taxpayers.
“This system of invoicing will put a stop to the manual ways of invoicing and block the leakages in the VAT system.
“We must play our part by asking for our VAT invoices when we buy goods or patronize services”, he counseled.
Mr. Owusu-Amoah said that part of the 2022 strategies is the introduction of e-commerce, gaming and bet taxes, which would be piloted from April, 2022.
He asserted that the Tax Identification Number (TIN) to Ghana Card mobilization, which entailed TIN owners using the Ghana Card Unique Identification to transact business with the GRA has exposed persons evading tax.
He explained that “the data has been used to identify eligible persons and we have started reaching out to them with the view to ensuring that they will be tax compliant by the end of the year.”
“We also encourage all persons who are out of the tax net to voluntarily comply,” he said.
