Accra: Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has assured the business community that the introduction of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) will not lead to the imposition of new taxes. He stated that the system is designed to enhance efficiency, transparency, and convenience in tax administration rather than increase the tax burden on businesses.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Sarpong gave this assurance at a stakeholder engagement organised by the GRA in Accra to discuss the implementation, benefits, and impact of ITAS on tax administration and service delivery. The event brought together key stakeholders, including members of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), tax practitioners, customs agents, and representatives from various sectors of the economy.
Mr Sarpong reiterated that the introduction of ITAS would not result in the payment of any additional taxes, describing it as an efficiency improvement process. He encouraged taxpayers not to be apprehensive about the system, emphasizing that it would simplify tax processes and improve compliance.
He further explained that ITAS would serve as a one-stop digital platform integrating various tax processes, enabling businesses to register, file returns, and make payments seamlessly. The platform is also expected to consolidate interactions between taxpayers and the GRA, allowing businesses to access their tax records, manage tax obligations, and handle audits and disputes more transparently.
The Commissioner-General highlighted that the system would integrate data from other platforms, including customs systems, to eliminate duplication and reduce the burden on taxpayers. He reaffirmed the authority's commitment to ensuring that no business is left behind in the transition to the new system, noting that support mechanisms have been put in place to assist businesses of all sizes.
Mr Sarpong also touched on the broader objective of the GRA, stating that the authority is pursuing a transformation agenda anchored on technology and innovation, operational excellence, and stakeholder trust. He mentioned that ITAS forms a key component of this agenda aimed at improving domestic revenue mobilisation to support national development.
The ITAS platform, launched earlier this year, is expected to play a critical role in modernising tax administration in Ghana and enhancing service delivery across the revenue collection system. ITAS allows taxpayers to register, file returns, and pay taxes online, reducing the need for manual paperwork.
In his remarks, Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, welcomed the introduction of ITAS, describing it as a positive step towards improving tax administration. He noted that the business community had long anticipated a system that would make tax processes simpler, faster, and more transparent.
Mr Twum-Akwaboah emphasized the importance of trust between the private sector and tax authorities, suggesting that a transparent and efficient system would strengthen confidence and encourage voluntary compliance. He stressed that the AGI supported the implementation of ITAS, highlighting that the system should help broaden the tax base through improved efficiency rather than increases in tax rates.
He urged the GRA to intensify education and stakeholder engagement to ensure that businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, fully understand and embrace the new system. Mr Twum-Akwaboah assured the Authority of the AGI's readiness to collaborate in sensitising its members and addressing challenges that might arise during the implementation phase.