IRS closes in on the informal sector

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is embarking on a vigorous tax consciousness campaign aimed primarily at the informal sector as a way of expanding the tax base in the country.

"We now have a policy of taking the tax message to every doorstep, we have decided to emphasise on the informal sector where sighting is poor," Mr Kwasi Bobie-Ansah, an IRS Public Relations Officer told the GNA on Wednesday.

The Service had for the past week mounted an education campaign at Parliament House, which includes helping Members of Parliament and staff to file their tax returns.

Over seventy members and 116 staff had availed themselves of the free services.

Mr Bobie-Ansah said the paying of tax had for sometime concentrated on the public service where supervision was most intense.

He said the establishment of tax courts, which is in the offing and a sustained tax education would help break down tax evasion and apathy.

The official said IRS had put on a "customer friendly face", making sure that people did not hold on to petty excuses to run away from their tax responsibilities.

"Although, it is the responsibility of every eligible person in Ghana to pay tax, we think people should know what they are supposed to know."

He appealed to Ghanaians to seek the relevant information on tax as it was not centred on mere paying but certain forms of it include "relief" and "refund".

"The other danger of not seeking clarification is that you may be over paying taxes."