A day seminar Organized

The Eastern Regional Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has organised a day’s seminar for its Medium Taxpayers in the region to educate them on tax laws compliance and how to avert penalties by filing their returns on time.


As part of efforts by the GRA to integrate and modernise its domestic tax operations to enhance efficiency and effectiveness it has segmented its large, medium and small tax payers based on their annual return.


It has therefore resolved to organise seminars for each of the segment to know their tax obligations.


In a presentation on Self-Assessment Policy, the Regional Head of Medium Taxpayers Office of GRA, Richard Ajago, noted that, GRA has taken a policy decision which seeks to adopt self-assessment as a major form of assessing its taxpayers.


He said Self Assessment is a policy where taxpayers are expected to accurately compile and report his or her liability to the Ghana Revenue Authority based on projections.


Under it, the claims and declarations made on tax returns are accepted by GRA without hindrance.


However, the Authority can then subject the tax return to risk analysis for audit investigation if necessary.


Mr Ajago said if a deliberate act of breach is identified sanctions are applied to the tax payer. 


He said the introduction of Self-Assessment is to improve revenue mobilization of the Authority and enhance economic and social development.


Mr Ajago was impressed by the voluntary compliance of tax obligations due to sensitization programmes organized for taxpayers. 


The Assistant Custom Division Officer of GRA, Elizabeth Ofori, asked taxpayers to fulfill tax obligations on time to avoid penalties.


She said tax is meant for development therefore stressed the need for all to pay tax for the development of the country. 

The participants were also schooled on import procedure, rent tax, withholding tax and custom warehousing.