The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is set to introduce a new initiative aimed at making tax filing more flexible and accessible for micro and small businesses across the country. The initiative, known as the Modified Taxation Programme, is part of broader efforts to expand the tax base and close revenue collection gaps.
Speaking to JoyBusiness after a stakeholder meeting with executives and selected members of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) in Accra, Acting Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, emphasized the importance of businesses in national revenue mobilization.
鈥淎s tax administrators, our mandate is to generate revenue for national development. Businesses are key partners in achieving this goal. When businesses thrive, they make profits鈥攁nd when they make profits, we can also collect the necessary taxes,鈥 Sarpong said.
He noted that the engagement with GUTA forms part of the GRA鈥檚 strategy to foster a more customer-friendly tax environment and improve tax compliance through education and collaboration.
Sarpong revealed that the Modified Taxation Programme will provide a simplified and convenient platform for micro and small enterprises to register and file their taxes. The GRA will also embark on a series of direct engagements with traders in various markets ahead of the programme鈥檚 official launch.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 engagement has been very productive. We had the opportunity to clarify some of the tax filing challenges faced by members of GUTA. We鈥檝e agreed to hold quarterly meetings with the business community to discuss issues and provide guidance,鈥 he explained.
鈥淲e鈥檝e also recognized that many small and micro businesses are currently not registered for tax. With this initiative, we aim to change that by offering a more user-friendly process,鈥 he added.
The GRA’s outreach forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders in the informal sector, which remains underrepresented in the national tax database.
GUTA President, Dr. Joseph Obeng, expressed optimism about the initiative, noting that such engagements would build trust and improve voluntary compliance among business operators.
The Acting Commissioner-General also addressed questions from GUTA members and pledged to engage with the Finance Minister on some of the concerns raised during the meeting.