The Tamale office of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has disclosed a tax revenue target of GHC 78.03 million for 2019, compared to its target of GHC 68.40 million assigned the authority for the year 2018.
Out of the figure assigned it last year, the Division was able to mobilize GHC 167.00 million, exceeding their annual revue target by GHC 98.60 million in 2018.
This was made known at a media soiree held at Radach Lodge in Tamale.
The event was held to fraternize with journalists and also acknowledge their role in aiding the GRA in its achievements and educating the public on tax compliance among others.
The Assistant Commissioner, Customs Division, GRA, Mr. Paul Kwesi Ahiakpor, was hopeful that through the shaping of public opinion towards their civic responsibilities, the citizenry will see payment of taxes as a sacred national duty, to help boost revenue mobilization through voluntary compliance.
Mr. Ahiakpor urged the media to sustain the education and sensitization of the public, on the need to honour their tax obligations towards national development agenda.
In a speech read on his behalf, the Ag. Assistant Commissioner of the Tamale Medium Tax Office (MTO), Mr. Ebenezer Mensah, noted that as part of efforts to improve voluntary compliance on the part of taxpayers, educational activities will be organized to educate taxpayers on the need for tax payment and to as well help improve the tax mobilization in their catchment area.
He as well noted that an invigilation is currently ongoing to find out taxpayers who do not issue VAT invoice though they charge with VAT inclusive
Meanwhile, taxpayers will in the future have some penalties and interest charges imposed on them for defaulting their tax obligations.
The soiree was attended by Regional Commissioners of GRA, the Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education, Management and Staff of the GRA and the Media.
Source: Fiilafmonline/Shawana Yussif
