Use technology to file tax returns – GRA to taxpayers

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is encouraging taxpayers to employ technology in filing of Tax Returns.

The GRA recently deployed the Integrated Tax Application and Payment System (iTaps) to enable taxpayers file tax returns and request for clearance electronically.

Addressing some taxpayers in Tema during a tax clinic workshop, Assistant Commissioner in-charge of Tema Medium Taxpayer Office Mrs. Eugenia Manful encouraged the use of technology in payment of tax.

“A new App has been introduced to get taxpayers to be able to file their returns online and also to make requests to the GRA like tax clearance certificates. Instead of walking to the tax offices you can sit in the comfort of your homes, in the comfort of your offices and file your returns online,” she said.

She added: “This is easy, it’s less expensive, and you can file anywhere. And so it’s convenient for our taxpayers.”

Mrs. Manful further stated the deployment of iTaps together with other modern technologies is aimed also at getting more people, especially those from the informal sector to pay taxes to assist in the development of the nation.

“We want to bring the tax home to everybody. A lot of people do not pay taxes, in fact apart from the formal sector that pays tax, we want to rope in the informal sector to also pay their taxes and together we can send Ghana beyond aid,” she said.

The tax clinics, themed: “File your tax returns, pay your taxes, Ghana beyond aid” formed part of the GRA’s nationwide Tax and Governance Week.

Mrs Manful said the 5-day exercise was successful as clients drove in at their stand at the Community 11 Shell premises to interact with officials. She called on the public to take advantage of the clinics to have their tax concerns addressed as well as to register for their Tax Identification Number (TIN).