Informal taxpayers call for mobile tax collection devices
Petty traders and other non-formal tax payers in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, have called on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), to institute mobile tax collection devices to enable them have easy access to the Authority to pay their taxes.
According to them, they were always ready to comply with their tax obligations but due to the GRA offices being far away from their places of operations they found it difficult to pay their taxes, hence the demand for the mobile devices.
This came to light during a tax education campaign organised by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) in collaboration with the GRA in Takoradi to educate traders on the need to pay their taxes.
The Nationwide campaign on tax compliance under the theme “our taxes-our future “ is to enable the NCCE reach out to economic groups, artisans, transport operators, chiefs, community leaders and other identifiable groups on taxes compliance.
Others in the formal tax payers category such as hairdressers, artisans, beauticians, store and shop owners as well as taxi drivers also suggested to the GRA to consolidate their taxes for them, this they noted would make it easier and comfortable for them to pay.
They called on the government to consider reducing some of the taxes imposed on them to enable them stay in business.
Mr Lan Kwame Tugbenu, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Director of NCCE, said activities undertaken as part of the month long campaign included dawn broadcasts at community information centres, talks in churches, market centres and lorry stations.
He pointed out that the government would only be able to provide the needed amenities such as schools, hospitals, roads, electricity and other basic needs if people complied with their tax obligations.
Mr Tugbenu therefore appealed to tax payers to comply with their tax obligations to help increase revenue for development.
The Regional Director said as much as it was the responsibility for all to pay the appropriate taxes, it also behoved on them to demand accountability from their various metropolis, municipal and district assemblies.
He pointed out that it was an offence punishable by law for people not to register their businesses and also to dodge tax payment and urged all to endeavour to pay their taxes regularly.
Mr Tugbenu said paying taxes also came with benefits apart from the provision of social amenities by the government, noting that tax payers could benefit from tax relief if they paid their taxes regularly.
They discussed issues such as , why they must pay taxes, how to register a business, what is tax payer registration number, what is the due date for the filing of tax returns, taxable gifts, offences and penalties among others.
Source: GNA