IRS re-launches Tax Stamp in Tamale

Tamale, Oct. 05, GNA - The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on Thursday re-launched its Tax Stamp for small-scale self-employed persons with a call on Ghanaians to view the essence of tax payment as a demonstration of individual commitment to good governance and nation-building.

In a speech read on his behalf at the re-launch, Major Daniel Sowah Ablorh-Quarcoo (rtd) Commissioner of the IRS, pleaded with Ghanaians in the informal sector to acce pt the Tax Stamp and contribute their quota towards nation-building.

He said the re-launch had become necessary due to resistance from the target group in spite of the best intentions of the new system. "The IRS was therefore forced to go back to the drawing board, analyse reasons for the failure and review the entire product to make it acceptable to the target group," he said.

Major Ablorh-Quarcoo said there was the need to adopt and enforce a comprehensive monitoring procedure to constantly review and address inefficiencies in the system to improve the activities of the Service. He said the IRS had instituted a holistic and sustained tax education campaign to remind the people of their tax obligations to help accelerate the development of the country.

Alhaji Mustapha Ali Iddris, Northern Regional Minister performed the re-launch on behalf Mr. Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning.

In an address read on his behalf, Mr Baah-Wiredu said the Tax Stamp directly affected the economic health of the nation, adding that, the new tax system would facilitate and improve tax collection. He said the country was depending heavily on external sources due to the level of tax collection, noting that the situation was slowing the pace of the country's development and called for a change in the trend.

He said: "Every government requires revenue to administer and develop the country and therefore there is the need for Ghanaians to put their development in their own hands by embracing the Tax Stamp wholeheartedly".