Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says the general public will be in a better position to hold government accountable on what it uses its money for once they declare their taxes faithfully.
The Vice President made these remarks following the launch of three initiatives of the Ghana Revenue Authority aimed at promoting tax payment as well increasing the domestic revenue mobilisation drive.
Speaking at the launch, the Vice President said "When we faithfully declare our taxes, we’ll be in a position to hold the government accountable for what our tax money is being used for"
Dr. Bawumia called on the public to join hands together to develop the country,”
Explaining further, the Vice President noted that the initiatives comes with an Electronic Tax Compliance Certificate (E-TCC), GRA’s Tax Compliance Short Code *880# and Online Tax Returns Filing.
"These initiatives are aimed at making it easy for customers to be tax compliant and make the payment of taxes easy from the comfort of ones home or office"
Dr. Bawumia also noted that the E-TCC is a documentary evidence issued by the Commissioner-General of GRA is aimed at ensuring each tax-payer is up to date with tax payments and has also met all applicable tax obligations at the date of issue.
He said "These electronic systems would also enable taxpayers to conveniently use the GRA’s taxpayers’ portal (www.taxpayersportal.com) to file their tax returns, apply for tax compliance certificates and make tax payments, using their personal computers, mobile phones, or computer tablets"
Dr. Bawumia stressed that the new introduction would further provide a shift in attitude towards tax payments and enhance compliance in both formal and informal sectors of the economy.
"These digital initiatives would promote transparency and accountability as well as minimise corruption in the country"
"Taxes were the lifeblood of any country, which help to build nations worldwide and I want to commend GRA for buying into government’s digitalisation agenda to promote national development and economic growth"
Dr. Bawumia also declared April as ‘Tax and Good Governance Month’
Commissioner General of GRA, Rev. Dr. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, on his part revealed that the GRA back in 2019 embarked on transformational agenda, and focused on three key pillars.
The three, he explained include people, technology and service.
The Commissioner-General is however bent on ensuring that technology is used to identify and simplify procedures and processes for tax payments.
He appealed to all taxpayers and businesses to accept the GRA’s digital portals.
He noted that the acceptance will drive them to file tax returns, initiate payments, and access other tax-related services.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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