GRA targets over 90% VAT compliance with new enforcement team

In a bid to encourage voluntary compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) and boost revenue mobilisation, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has inaugurated a National VAT Compliance and Enforcement Team to strengthen VAT compliance among businesses and individuals.

According to the Authority, Ghana’s VAT gap currently stands at 60 percent, significantly undermining the GRA’s efforts to achieve full tax compliance.

President John Dramani Mahama, in April 2025, assented to the Value Added Tax (VAT) Amendment Bill, 2025, with implementation scheduled for January 1, 2026.

The passage of the bill is intended to provide relief to households and commuters while ensuring a fair and balanced tax system.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, said the Authority is embarking on a journey to reform VAT in the country.

GRA reiterates commitment to close tax gaps

He added that the GRA seeks to achieve over 90 percent tax compliance in 2026 to further boost revenue generation and align with the President’s Reset Agenda vision.

“Whatever issues have existed in terms of VAT compliance in the past, whether preventing businesses from registering, charging, or remitting, let them remain in the past. Going forward, GRA’s eyes are open, and we are coming with the full strength of our service. Those who cooperate with us will be dealt with professionally,” he said.

He further noted that the GRA plans to introduce a taxpayer reward scheme alongside new compliance measures aimed at improving VAT collection.

The initiative, he explained, will be supported by increased automation to ensure that all taxpayers pay the correct VAT due to the state.

“As we introduce a compliance mechanism, we will also bring automation that will ultimately ensure that all of us pay the VAT we are legitimately required to pay,” he added.

For his part, the Commissioner of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD) of the GRA, Dr Martin Kolbil Yamborigya, assured strict enforcement of VAT as part of the Authority’s mandate.

“The introduction of the new VAT Act reflects the government’s determination to modernise our tax system, broaden the tax base, ensure fairness, promote voluntary compliance, and deter non-compliance across all sectors of the economy,” he stated.

SP/MA

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