The Ghana Online Drivers Union (GODU) has called on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and ride-hailing companies to postpone the implementation date of the Vehicle Income Tax (VIT) for more consultation.
They say this will make room for all concerns to be addressed for the smooth implementation of the VIT.
This follows the GRA’s decision to reintroduce the payment of VIT effective January 1, 2024.
In a statement signed by the National Chairman of GODU, Francis Kweku Tenge, the union opposed the directive, asserting that the drivers would ultimately bear the VIT costs.
They expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of consultation with stakeholders and emphasised the absence of legislative instruments regulating the ride-hailing sector as a commercial entity, deeming it illegitimate to impose taxes at this time.
The union also highlighted concerns about the unknown cost of the VIT, difficulties with the *222# short code for vehicle verification, and uncertainties about how the required update from ride-hailing companies would affect their work.
“We are therefore appealing to the GRA to hold on to its implementation date of 1 January 2024 until proper collaborations are deepened with the union,” the statement indicated.
If their request is denied, the union has threatened a nationwide strike, price negotiation with riders and switching to alternative local apps as another alternative course of action.