Despite a successful introduction of the Integrated Tax Application and Preparation System (iTAPS), by the Ghana Revenue Authority, the system has been ill effective in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region.
ITAPS is an electronic platform that enables taxpayers to prepare, apply and receive annual tax returns, tax clearance certificate and verifications, as well as VAT-withholding tax among other services rendered by the GRA.
Since its implementation and the apparent stress free benefits it comes with, tax payers in the Bolgatanga Municipality are still not impressed with the digital system; and preferred to file their tax returns manually at the various tax centers.
In an interview with some concerned taxpayers in the Bolgatanga Municipality, they observed that the recent incidence of digital fraud account for their move to choose manual filing over the new innovation of filing digitally.
The lack of public sensitization was also cited as a reason for their preference for the archaic.
A taxpayer, who gave his name as Benjamin explained that he had made several attempts to file his tax returns using the digital system but had never been successful due to his lack of knowledge in the use of the digital system.
“I will not waste my time with something {the digital platform} I do not have witness to. In case a mistake comes and I need a receipt to proof that I really paid my tax, what happens then? Another taxpayer, Atanga Joseph expressed.
But when contacted, the Domestic Revenue Officer of the Ghana Revenue Authority in the Bolgatanga Municipality, Yusif Musah Braimah, said that his outfit has held series of sensitizations programs regarding the digital system.
“I am surprised to see that since its introduction, people in the {Upper East} region have not made efforts to file their tax returns or settle their taxes through the system.” He lamented.
He further indicated that his outfit will continue to focus more on sensitizing the general public about the functions of the Integrated Tax Application and Preparation System (iTAPS).
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHZ|Moses Apiah|Ghana
