The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, says tax systems will be fully automated to simplify payments and efficient revenue mobilisation if given the nod in the 2024 elections.
He believes such systems will enable people to file taxes without pressure and increase transparency freely.
“Tax digitalisation will be implemented across all aspects of tax administration. Everyone will be required to file a very simple tax return electronically through their mobile phone or computer.
“There will be no manual or paper filing of taxes from 2025. Faceless assessments will provide transparency and accountability,” he said.
This will be done “either using their mobile phones or computers and eliminate the cumbersome nature of filing tax returns manually”.
He made this known as he unveiled his vision for Ghana on Wednesday, February 7.
The Vice President argued that with the current system, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers visit businesses and sit in the shops to monitor sales, which is very uncomfortable for traders.
“Furthermore, no entity would be audited more than once in five years unless anomalies are detected which the individual or company does not correct after being given the opportunity to do so,” he indicated.
Also, Dr Bawumia said in instances where there are disputes about tax assessment, an arbitration body would be established, consisting of individuals from reputable institutions, to establish a court to resolve the matter.
“We will amend the law such that if there is a dispute about tax assessment, binding arbitration will take place through a body constituted by institutions such as the Ghana Arbitration Center, Institute of Taxation, AGI, Institute of Chartered Accountants, PEF, and Ghana Employers Association with a mandate to resolve any appeal in a maximum of three months”.