GRA EXPRESSED WORRY OVER NON-REGISTRATION OF BUSINESSES

The Domestic Tax Division (DTD) of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has expressed concern about the failure of most informal sector business operators to register their businesses with the Tax Office, and warned that it is an offense for person to commence business without a Tax registration certificate and an identification number. In a statement issued in Tamale by the Regional communication and Public Affairs Officer on behalf of the regional Director of DTD of GRA, Roland Miah described the attitude of some businessmen and women who refused to register their businesses as unpatriotic and calculated attempt to evade the payment of taxes. The statement mentioned self-employed individuals in the informal as most offenders with over 70 percent of the outside tax net. It reminded such people to take immediate steps to regularize their registration process before the long arm catches up with them. The statement however pointed out that it is the responsibility to first of all contact the tax office for advice and help relating to tax affairs and desist jumping into business without completing the registration process. It indicated that the registration of business is now a one-off transaction in the life of a business upon payment of an appropriate registration fee which is not subject to annual renewal, adding that a dully registered person would be issued with a certificate of registration which should be boldly displayed in the shop or business premises. The statement therefore urged all self-employed person, companies and organization to endevour to register their businesses to avoid falling foul of tax law. It further reminded taxpayers including withholding agent to be meeting payment deadlines. The statement again warned that the income tax division of the DTRD of the GRA in the region would soon embark on a vigorous exercise to retrieve all tax arrears and that the attachment of properties will be considered as an option FIILA/SA