GRA says wants to build credible taxpayer database

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday organised a day’s seminar for large taxpayers on the on-going Taxpayer Registration and Re-registration exercise aim to obtain a credible data-set to enhance revenue administration.

Under the new automated systems being implemented for GRA and Registrar General’s Department, Taxpayers at the GRA Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) offices and VAT Offices must re-register to facilitate the use of the new software systems.

Mr Paul Kwakyi, Deputy Commissioner Ge-Gov at GRA, said the re-registration was to improve quality of customer records, facilitate improved levels of services, act as basis for access to variety of online government services, including online tax returns, payments, appointments and scheduling and implement a government portal.

He said all individuals, including business owners, company secretaries, directors and partners behind the various RGD registered organizations, should register for their Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) with GRA and then proceeds to re-register their organizations at the RGD for new TIN and new business certificate.

Mr Kwakyi debunked the suggestion that the re-registration was a means to increasing taxes paid by the companies, adding rather that the exercise would provide the companies the platform to have a convenient way of paying their taxes.

It is also to ensure a transparent process of tax administration.

He said although the GRA had taken the steps to get the companies registered without any punitive measures, there was the need for the recalcitrant ones to take advantage now because they could face difficulties in their tax dealings if they were not on the new platform.

Mr Kwakyi said the project would link GRA to the RGD electronically to ensure that it (GRA) had access to their database to access details of registered businesses for easy tracking and for tax purposes.

The re-registration exercise is part of the integration and modernization process of Ghana’s e-Government (GeGOV) project, which is aimed at improving quality of customer records and facilitating service delivery.

The registration is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet), GRA and other partners like the Registrar-General’s Department (RGD).

Source: GNA