Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Commissioner General of GRA Urges Tax Payers To Fulfill Obligation

The Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, George Blankson has urged tax payers in the country to file their returns in order to help the Authority in assessing their tax net.

He expressed that it is prudent for every tax payer to declare his or her incomes so as to aid the tax administrators in recording their returns to avert the possibility of tax payers shirking their responsibilities.

Noting down some wrongful practices of tax payers in the nation, Mr. Blankson on Radio Gold called on Ghanaians who fall within the tax net not to violate the laws regarding the payment of taxes.

He encouraged them to voluntarily comply with the tax regulations and ensure that they make a declaration of their returns to the appropriate authorities.

“The tax payer is given the first opportunity to make a declaration in writing and that’s what we refer to as tax return in the case of direct taxes.”

He further explained the filing of a person’s tax returns as a means of admitting that “having assessed my liabilities or knowing what I have imported, knowing how much my income is, knowing what I sold; this is how much I think I need to pay, I owe the tax authority. But when you have done that, then the tax authorities follow up to verify and confirm whether the declaration is right or wrong. And if there are any differences that would also have to be sorted out.”

George Blankson made this known while reacting to President John Mahama’s filing of his tax returns yesterday at the Kinbu office of the Ghana Revenue Authority to set example for other tax payers in the country.

He commended the President for taking a bold step to file his returns, emphasizing that “the President’s gesture or action of coming to the Ghana Revenue Authority office to file his tax returns is of tremendous significance in terms of its demonstration effect on other tax payers and also in terms of its implications for people generally wanting to comply voluntarily.”

“We are very much appreciative of it and we think that it is signal to all to follow and do same.” he expressed gratitude to President Mahama.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana

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