‘Persons without TIN can’t transact official business’
Chief Revenue Officer of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr Dominic Naab, has reiterated the need for taxpayers to obtain their taxpayer identification numbers (TIN) to allow for easy filing of tax returns as required by law.
Advertisement
He stated that the acquisition of the unique number would also assist the GRA to end the challenge of multiple taxpayer identities and ensure maximum compliance with the tax law.
“Without the TIN the taxpayer will not be able to transact official business with institutions such as the GRA, the Passport Office, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Registrar Generals Department,” he noted.
Seminar
Speaking at a seminar organised for taxpayers at the Adabraka Small Taxpayer Office (STO) in Accra, Mr Naab said: “Every taxpayer must obtain a TIN; it will get to a time that without the TIN salaries will not be processed and renewal of professional licences will also be difficult.”
The event, held on the theme “Revenue mobilisation is a collective effort of all stakeholders” brought together traders, representatives of some selected banking institutions and school owners in the Adabraka STO.
The essence was to intensify education on the changes in the tax law to ensure maximum tax compliance.
‘File returns on time’
Mr Naab explained that the changes in Income Tax Act, 2015 (ACT 896) required the taxation of the incomes of citizens resident both in and outside the country.
“Residents will now be taxed on all incomes regardless of the source and whether or not foreign income earned was brought into Ghana.
“GRA has also signed unto some tax exchange platform with other countries that provide information on incomes of citizens residing in those countries,” he added.
He, therefore, advised taxpayers to file their returns on time since that would give them access to appropriate refunds where necessary.
Seek prompt clarifications
Mr Naab called on taxpayers who could not have the means to pay their taxes in time to visit any GRA office for assistance.
That, he stated, would prevent the imposition of penalties for late payment of taxes.
He added that the amended Value Added Tax (VAT) law required all taxable retailers and wholesalers to charge a VAT flat rate of three per cent and account same to the authority.
Revenue Administration ACT, 2016 (915)
Taking the participants through the Revenue Administration ACT, a Senior Revenue Officer of the GRA, Mr Emmanuel Tsiquaye, explained that the law permitted the Commissioner-General to direct financial institutions to withhold payment of salaries and earnings of taxpayers who failed to honour their tax obligations until they had met them.
“The taxpayer is also entitled to receive information from the authority in relation to his outstanding obligations; however, failure on the part of GRA to provide such information will not affect the tax obligations of the taxpayer,” he added.