The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), as part of its transformational agenda, has set up taxpayer service centres (TSCs) to enable taxpayers file their returns with ease.
This latest development follows feedback received from taxpayers by the Authority with regards to service delivery provided them.
The 57 TSCs will enable the taxpayer to file returns, make payments, register for Tax Identification Number (TIN) and tax types, make complaints, enquiries and receive tax education. The centres will be supported by Area Offices whose mandate involves administrative, audit and enforcement functions.
Speaking at a media engagement on the restructuring of the operations of Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD), the GRA Acting Commissioner-General, Rev Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah, said the setting up of the TSCs is aimed at creating convenience for taxpayers and free them to use their time for other productive ventures.
“The aim is to establish offices not on the basis of turnovers as it was previously but rather with respect to jurisdiction,” he said.
Leveraging technology
In addition, he said, a number of digital initiatives have been rolled out while others are in various stages of development to place the Authority in a world class standard.
“The modules in the second phase of the Integrated Tax Application and Processing System (ITaPS) have been deployed on the Ghana.gov platform, making it possible for taxpayers to file some returns and make payments online. Now, over fifteen banks have been signed on to receive payment of taxes via the Ghana.gov platform and we are confident that by the end of the year more banks will join us,” he said.
“We will therefore be on our way to making payment of taxes more convenient for our taxpayers. In addition, to make payment of Vehicle Income Tax more convenient, we are piloting the payment of this tax via a USSD code *222#,” he added.
On the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS) at the ports, Rev Owusu-Amoah said the initial challenges it encountered have been largely resolved and the objective of ensuring a more efficient management and collection of customs duties and taxes is being achieved.
The GRA Acting Commissioner-General further disclosed that his outfit, together with the Finance Ministry, in June 2020 inaugurated the Tax Audit and Quality Assurance Department, which was set up to ensure improved quality of audits and revenue assurance.
“The Department will manage the centralised audit planning process, serve as the audit center of excellence, monitor and ensure quality audit across the operational Divisions and investigate significant tax gaps including cases of suspected tax evasion, avoidance and fraud,” he said.
Revenue performance
Furthermore, he said because the Authority can no longer continue to do business as usual, it has put in place measures to ensure that the 2020 revenue target of GHC 42.7 billion is met.
He disclosed that the total tax revenue for the half year of 2020 was GHC19, 955.31million, as against a target of GHC21, 423.14million, resulting in a negative deviation of 6.9 per cent.
“For the period, Domestic Tax collected GHC15, 97.05million, out of a budgeted target of GHC14, 773.76million, while Customs collected GHC4, 558.26mllion, out of the GHC 6,649.38million target. The sectors that saw significant growth over the period were the mining, telecommunications and financial sectors,” he said.
Rev Owusu-Amoah told the gathering that the GRA would work assiduously to roll out policies to meet its revenue target of GHC55million.
DTRD restructuring
In a presentation on the restructuring of the DTRD, the Chief Revenue Officer, Policy & Programmes Department, Mr Thomas Agorsor, said the new structure will have a large taxpayer office, area offices and taxpayer service centres nationwide.
The Large Taxpayer Office (LTO) will focus on large corporate businesses, public institutions and high-net-worth individuals. The Area Offices will provide technical and administrative support in the management of the TSCs, including the centralised audit and enforcement functions, while the TSCs will serve all taxpayers within their area of operations, both small and medium taxpayers.
“Audit and enforcement will, usually, be carried out from only one office in the area. The area structure would not preclude (particularly during the transitional period) auditors being based away from the Area Office (albeit managed by the area audit manager),” he said.
“Where two offices are operating from the same premises/location, they will be merged into one DTRD office and new Taxpayer services Centres will be created in strategic locations to serve the needs of taxpayers who cover long distances to transact business with the GRA,” Mr Agorsor added.
Source: dailystatesman.com.gh
About The Author
