Offices of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the Ashanti Region have intensified their tax education for members of the general public as part of activities to mark the Tax and Good Governance week.
Officials say they will also use the week to sensitize the public and take them through processes to acquire a Tax Identification Number (TIN).
Majority of existing business and taxpayers within the Ashanti Region have already acquired the TIN, but officials are setting up tax clinics at vantage locations within the Kumasi metropolis and the region to get the public especially those in the informal sector get one.
The GRA has announced that individuals without a Tax Identification Number (TIN), will from henceforth not be allowed to acquire a Driver’s license, open a bank account, get a passport, transact business with the government, or register a company.
The TIN, according to the GRA, is aimed at uniquely identifying potential taxpayers to broaden the tax base.
The Authority has in recent times announced that all Ghanaians working must acquire a TIN to fulfill the Revenue Administration Act (RAA), 2016, Act 915.
Some of the institutions that will require TIN are the DVLA, RGD, Passport Office, GRA, Lands Commission, Law Courts, Ministries, government departments, agencies, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies.
Kumasi residents comply with TIN directive
Citi News’ checks at the Asokwa, Adum and Ashtown offices of the GRA revealed that residents were trooping to the premises to register for their TIN.
Some of the residents who spoke to Citi News lauded the directive and urged other members of the public to visit any office of the GRA to acquire the TIN.
They put up notices at the Asokwa Small Taxpayer Office and entrances informing people that the registration is free.
The applicants who were at the office to register for the TIN called on the GRA to do more sensitization on the exercise.
Sensitization on TIN key
Asokwa Small Taxpayer Officer, Michael Acheampong in a Citi News interview emphasized the need to intensify awareness to get the majority of the citizenry acquire their Tax Identification Numbers.
He said Tax clinics would be set up at vantage locations within the Kumasi metropolis as part of the GRA’s Tax and Good Governance week.
“For existing businesses and taxpayers, we can bet you that majority of them already have the TIN. Regarding the sensitization, I think we have been doing a lot, and we are going to continue to do that”, he indicated.
Officials of the GRA embarked on a float as part of the Tax and Good Governance week through the principal streets of the Kumasi metropolis to sensitize residents on the need to fulfill their tax obligations as citizens.
The Tax and Good Governance week is on the theme “Filling your Tax returns-Your civic responsibility”.
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By: Hafiz Tijani/Citinewsroom.com/Ghana