In a swift response to reports that it is considering taxing beggars in the country, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said it is doing no such thing.
An official of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in the Northern Region, had stated that in broadening the tax net, even beggars in the country ought to be taxed as long as they earn some income.
[contextly_sidebar id=”EaOhUidnSUKXGqRW1FvhARwD90QceTo6″]According to the Principal Revenue Chief at the small taxpayer office of GRA in the Northern Region, Alhaji Mohammed Yahaya, the move will also target traders involved in door to door sales of Dubai wax print and other imported products.
Mr Yahaya explained that it had become necessary to tax beggars, given that they fall within the taxable threshold.
But a statement from the Communications and Public Affairs Department of GRA said alms are not part of the taxable threshold as earlier stated by its official.
“…it must be stated that the alms by beggars on the street does not fall within the taxable threshold. They, therefore, do not pay tax on the alms received,” the statement signed the Assistant Commissioner, in charge of the Communication and Public Affairs Department Kwasi Bobie-Ansah stated.
The statement said: “while GRA encourages staff to mobilise revenue for the state actively, the Authority does not encourage them to pursue taxes that may appropriately be considered a nuisance.”
The statement further assured the public that GRA only implements only laws passed by Parliament and will not carry out activities that have no legal backing.
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By: Godwin Akweiteh Allotey/citinewsroom.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin