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The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA) has appealed to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to adopt a more considerate approach as it intensifies nationwide visits to businesses under its VAT compliance campaign.
GUTA President Clement Boateng said GRA officials deployed to markets and businesses should exercise restraint and conduct their duties in a manner that encourages cooperation rather than confrontation.
Speaking at the launch of the VAT Compliance Campaign, he called for closer collaboration between the tax authority and the business community to ensure the exercise achieves its intended purpose.
He said the campaign would involve nationwide education, sensitisation, awareness creation and enforcement to help businesses and the public understand the importance of VAT compliance.
“After this launch today there is going to be a nationwide education, sensitization, enforcement and awareness creation to let Ghanaians know why there is the need for those who qualify to pay VAT has to do so,” he said.
Mr Boateng, however, urged the GRA to ensure that officers assigned to markets and businesses are friendly and accommodating when carrying out their duties.
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“What I will entreat GRA to do is to attach a human face when the time comes for them to go to the market for the exercise. Their officers who will be deployed to the markets should be friendly and accommodative in carrying out their duty,” he added.
GUTA calls for consumer education
The GUTA President also urged the GRA to educate consumers about the benefits and incentives available to customers who request VAT invoices when making purchases.
“I will also urge GRA to include in their education the incentive that will be given to consumers who demand VAT invoices after their purchase,” he said.
GUTA pledges cooperation
Mr Boateng assured the GRA of GUTA’s cooperation throughout the campaign.
He said the association would encourage its members to comply with the exercise and work with the tax authority to ensure the programme is implemented smoothly.
“GUTA on our part will also encourage our members to be cooperative so that together we will have a smooth program and improve on our tax to GDP ratio for the betterment of Mother Ghana,” he stated.
The VAT Compliance Campaign is expected to combine education, awareness creation and enforcement to ensure that businesses required to charge VAT meet their tax obligations.
Mr Boateng also acknowledged the importance of taxation to national development, noting that tax revenue remains an important source of funding for development programmes.
“As we are all aware, every country needs tax to embark on its developmental agenda and our dear country Ghana is no exception,” he said.