The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has reiterated its call for businesses to prioritize proper recordkeeping and timely tax filing, emphasizing their crucial role in promoting national development, fostering business transparency, and ensuring sustainable growth.
Richard Ajago, the Assistant Commissioner and Office Manager of the Spintex Taxpayer Service Centre (TSC), highlighted this during a recent tax clinic organized to sensitize taxpayers on compliance, particularly in recordkeeping and transitioning to the authority’s online filing system.
“Taxation thrives on accurate records,” Mr. Ajago noted, emphasizing that without proper records, it becomes nearly impossible to assess a business’s income or allowable expenses. He warned that poor bookkeeping not only undermines tax compliance but also exposes businesses to internal fraud, especially when owners are not actively involved in daily operations.
“Proper recordkeeping is the foundation of successful business management,” he explained. “Tracking sales, expenses, purchases, and operational costs provides a clear picture of your profit margins, which directly informs accurate tax assessments.”
Bridging the Gap Between Filing and Payment
The Assistant Commissioner underscored the importance of filing tax returns as a prerequisite for tax payment. “Filing creates the framework for payment. Without filing, payment has no basis,” he stated, calling for a cultural shift toward aligning filing and payment practices.
While Mr. Ajago commended the growing adoption of GRA’s online platform for tax filing. He pointed out that timely payments remain a challenge. “Filing is only half the journey. We encourage taxpayers to ensure that payments are made promptly. This is the only way GRA can achieve its revenue targets and support the development agenda of the nation.”
Enhancing Compliance Through Education and Digitalization
To address the hurdles in tax compliance, GRA is ramping up efforts to simplify processes through digital innovations and ongoing taxpayer education initiatives. Mr. Ajago reassured businesses of GRA’s commitment to providing efficient service delivery, making compliance more accessible for all.
“Taxes are the backbone of every nation’s development. Without them, critical infrastructure and services would be impossible to sustain. Our goal is to make compliance not only a responsibility but also a seamless part of business operations,” he said.
The tax clinic forms part of GRA’s broader strategy to bridge gaps in understanding tax obligations and empower businesses to align their operations with regulatory standards.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
