The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has introduced an electronic platform for taxpayers to file their annual returns at the comfort of their homes and offices.
The electronic platform called Integrated Tax Application and Preparation system (iTaPS) is to enhance individual annual tax filing.
iTaPS is an electronic (e-service) platform that allows individuals to prepare, apply for and receive GRA services.
The software, seeks to assist taxpayers in keeping the records required to fulfil their tax obligations, improve Tax Administrative Diagnostic Tools (TADAT) ranking under voluntary compliance, improve the quality of tax returns submitted by taxpayers, and revenue assurance.
iTaPs is also targetted at improving the ease of doing business, which will better position the country in the global business arena as it will significantly reduce cost and time required to fulfil tax obligations.
To ensure electronic registration onto the software, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and any recognised Identification Card (ID) are the basic requirements for registration.
Speaking at the launch of 2019 Tax and Good Governance Week and iTaps, dubbed; ‘File your Returns; Pay your Taxes, Move Ghana Beyond Aid’. Vice President Dr Bawumia said “ About two years ago only 1.2 million people were tax compliant out of the 6million economically activity population, with 1 million out of the 1.2 million from the formal sector leaving 200,000 coming from the informal sector. These statistics and their implication on revenue mobilization must be reversed as soon as possible and one sure way in addressing the of non-filing of taxes is to cast the tax net wider to rope in many operators in the informal sector who are not tax compliant.”
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He continued that, at the launch and maiden Tax and Good Governance Week last year I threw a challenge to the Commissioner General to come up with a simplified electronic tax filing system that will enable taxpayers to file returns using their phones or computers at their convenience.
Dr Bawumia in his speech congratulated the Commissioner General for rising up to the challenge and introducing a filing software that will help taxpayers perform their civic right.
The phase-one of iTaPS is designed purposely for filing Personal Income Tax (PIT), irrespective of the source of income – be it employment, investment or business.
The platform is accessible to all individual taxpayers, in both formal and informal sectors.
