Some traders in the Ashanti Region have closed their shops after Ghana Revenue Authority(GRA’s) new tax formula began implementation on Monday 9th October, 2022.
According to the report, GRA officials have been designated to sit in front of shops to keep watch over the Value Added Tax (VAT) on the number of items they sell. The Ghana Union of Traders’ Association(GUTA) however, has revealed there is disparity in the payment of VAT.
Speaking to Kwaku Dawuro on Movement In The Morning Show, Mr. Benjamin Yeboah the welfare officer of GUTA stated that ”traders are battling with the rise in the prices of goods and services, and the current economic hardship. If government should allow officials from GRA to sit in front of shops to record VAT on products sold, it will be a bigger challenge. If the system is not favorable for government, they cannot push it on the ordinary Ghanaian”, he added.
Explaining the reason behind the refusal of the current development, Mr Yaboah said there is disparity in the payment of VAT.
”There is disparity in the market, because there are variations in terms of who pays what. Some people are selling on table top but they import goods. The focus of VAT payment is always on those who have occupied shops. We cannot have different forms of VAT payment in the same market”.
He added that there is the need for a flat rate, adding the officials cannot go and squeeze people and refuse to take from others.