B/A IRS fails to meet target

Sunyani (B/A), Jan 12, GNA - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the Brong Ahafo failed to meet its revenue target last year, Mr. George Lamptey, Regional IRS Director, has disclosed to the Ghana News Agency.

Speaking in an interview he explained that the failure was due to short falls from some withholding institutions including the Departments of Feeder and Urban Roads and Ghana Highways Authority. "The quantum from these sectors has become less than before because some of the payments were made directly from Accra", he added. The Regional Director noted that the expected revenue from the district assemblies and the informal sector also showed a downward turn. Mr. Lamptey however, said some of the districts such as Goaso and Techiman met their targets without giving figures and expressed optimism that the re-introduction of the tax stamp would enable the IRS to mobilize the necessary revenue.

He said the introduction of the National Youth Employment Programme would enable the Service to recruit more staff to help expose those withholding taxes.

The Regional Director urged shop owners and traders to keep proper records to enable officers of the Service to know the amount they earn to save them from being assessed arbitrarily. Mr. Lamptey appealed to withholding institutions to live up to expectation 93since their failure does not absolve them from liability under section 85 of the tax laws". 12 Jan 07