The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is urging businesses and individual taxpayers to fully comply with tax laws, warning that failure to register, file returns, or properly account for taxes collected could attract penalties and other legal sanctions.
Speaking on Time with Ghana Revenue Authority – GRA Connects on the Super Morning Show, Tax Administrator at the GRA, David Lartey-Quarcoopome, said effective compliance depends largely on sustained engagement between taxpayers and the Authority.
“The most important thing is engagement. We want citizens and residents to engage with the Authority because without that engagement, we would all be working with assumptions that are not right,” he said.
He explained that taxpayers are entitled to both rights and responsibilities under the law, including access to information and fair treatment. He added that the Authority continues to encourage taxpayers to seek support from GRA offices rather than avoiding interaction with officials.
“The taxpayer is entitled to clear, accurate and timely information. That is a right. The best thing is to engage them even when you don’t have any problem. Management is trying to spread the locations of the taxpayer service centres so that we get closer to business centres and reduce the burden on taxpayers,” he noted.
On taxpayer obligations, Mr Lartey-Quarcoopome stressed that registration, filing of returns, issuing tax invoices and maintaining proper records remain fundamental requirements under the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915).
“Everybody who qualifies must register for tax purposes. Registration is key. You must be in the tax system so that we can do the necessary computations. There are strict sanctions under the law, including penalties, interest charges and other legal consequences,” he warned.
He further advised that even businesses with no activity during a filing period are required to submit nil returns to avoid penalties.
“If you did no work, once you are registered, file a nil return. Don’t wait until the last working day before you file. Go ahead and file to avoid unnecessary penalties,” he said.
The GRA says it will continue expanding taxpayer service centres and improving access to information as part of efforts to strengthen compliance and boost domestic revenue mobilisation.