The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has said the Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate (E-TCC) will enhance transparency in mobilising tax returns and payments.
Speaking at a workshop to engage taxpayers on the new E-TCC portal system, Mr Alfred Twumasi Ntiamoah, Deputy Commissioner, Larger Taxpayers Office of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), said the E-TCC is being used to ensure taxpayers monitor their taxes and know if they are compliant.
He said the E-TCC would allow prospective taxpayers to file their tax returns and receive tax clearance certificates immediately after meeting the requirements.
He said the portal will help taxpayers generate their own Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) without necessarily going to the Authority’s office.
The portal will help improve tax compliance which will enable transparency in tax administration and also help reduce transportation cost for customers.
The portal will also do a background check to ensure there are no outstanding tax returns and payments, he mentioned.
“You have to comply with the system information requirements on all outstanding debts to be able to get your Tax Clearance Certificate.”
“There will be imposition of penalties and interests, which taxpayers will have to pay to get their Tax Clearance Certificate,” he said.
Taxpayers who have outstanding debts will be given reasons for not getting the TCC by the portal, he added.
Addressing challenges confronting taxpayers, Mr Ntiamoah said the E-TCC would not prevent taxpayers from visiting the Authority’s offices.
However, there will be a support option on the portal to help customers report cases and suggestions on issues bothering them.
“In any new system there are technical and tutoring problems. We are ready to solve these problems once and for all, immediately we solve it. You have your own way of generating your E-TCC without coming to the office,” he said.
He said clients could also contact the Authority through their social media platforms and visit the Authority’s website which will make solving issues of customers simpler.
“If you have any challenges, you can visit our offices our staff will assist you to correct every error you encounter,” he said.
He said there would be a short code to help customers verify their E-TCC instantly by the end of the year.
In his closing remarks, he implored all taxpayers to pay their arrears to help generate funds to help economic growth.
The Authority assured clients of organising such workshops frequently to help build a better and easy taxation system. -GNA
