Tax compliance is difficult, as nobody wants to pay tax voluntarily. That is why in Ghana those who pay tax regularly are workers because of the check-off system through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) scheme.
If this system had not been put in place by the Internal Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), many working people would not voluntarily pay their taxes.
It is believed that anybody who refuses to pay tax must be rebelling against the lawful authority of state. This explains why, Romans 13:2, says “Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves.”
Regarding the payment of tax, Paul made it clearer in Romans 13:5-7: He says, “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants who give their full time governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.”
When the Pharisees wanted to set a trap for Jesus they asked him, “Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”, Jesus, among other things, said: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
Although it is difficult to pay taxes, Jesus Christ taught His followers not only in words but by example — to give to the government any taxes that are owed.
Tax payment is one of the stressful civic duties by all citizens but we ought to do so if the government is to mobilise the required revenue to undertake development activities.
Even now as business opportunities grow and the tax agencies are able to exceed their targets for most of the time, the government is unable to mobilise the necessary revenue for the development of the country.
It is for this reason that the Daily Graphic welcomes moves by the GRA to reconnect with taxpayers through its newly introduced customer service manual and client charter meant to improve revenue generation.
We know that majority of the people in the informal sector do not comply easily with tax payment and may need some sensitisation to comply. We, therefore, need to engage more with taxpayers. Afterall taxpayers are partners in the task of mobilising revenue for national development.
The Daily Graphic calls on the GRA and its divisions to reach out to income earners, so that more revenue will be raked into the Consolidated Fund.
We need more money to close the development gap and the only way to achieve that objective is to motivate everybody to fulfil his or her civic obligation of paying taxes to the state.
We also appeal to the GRA to educate the people on the need to pay taxes and the benefits thereof.
Also, if the government puts tax revenue to good use, majority of the people will be willing to honour their tax obligations to the state.
