Resist Intimidation By GRA – GUTA Charges Members
The President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, has informed members to resist any form of intimidation by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in relation to the implementation of the upfront payment on the Value Added Tax (VAT).
Dr. Obeng added that the association will no longer tolerate any autocratic style by the GRA in enforcing new taxes without genuine reason.
The GUTA president, addressing the media on Wednesday, September 20, noted, “We will no longer tolerate such acts of intercepting our cargo after leaving the port”.
“If anything at all, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitics have affected the business community more, and we can no longer entertain any abuse of authority in carrying out our legitimate businesses,” he stressed.
Dr. Obeng also condemned the GRA’s practice of sending officials to their shops to sit and observe activities throughout business hours.
“As if that is not enough, GRA also goes further to frustrate members of the business community, especially traders, by sending what they call invigilators to sit in our shops and monitor our sales as if we are in a police state which perceives business operators as criminals,” he lamented.
Dr. Obeng also recommended that the GRA revise the VAT system to ensure fairness.
“What needs to be made clear is that the VAT system, which is a consumption tax, should be restructured to bring fairness, parity, simplicity and affordability to ensure effective compliance as the only way forward to compel both the trader and the consumer to abide by the policy,” he said.
The GRA’s upfront VAT payment policy was introduced to improve VAT compliance and reduce tax evasion.
However, the policy has faced resistance from some businesses, who argue it is unfair and burdensome.
The GRA has defended the policy, arguing that it is necessary to ensure that all businesses pay their fair share of taxes. The GRA has also said that it is committed to working with businesses to implement the policy in a way that is fair and reasonable.