The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has intensified efforts to curb revenue leakages by cracking down on landlords and foreign nationals converting residential properties into commercial spaces.

Accra Area Manager of the GRA, Joseph Annan, disclosed that many property owners and tenants are exploiting this practice to evade taxes.

He noted the growing, unsanctioned trend of homes being discreetly transformed into business centres, particularly in East Legon and parts of Tema.

“It’s the owner not helping us… these are houses built by Ghanaians for residential [purposes]. So, if somebody’s doing business and is supposed to pay taxes, once you take your rent and go to sleep, it’s not helping us,” Annan lamented.

He stressed that although such properties appear residential, inspections often reveal thriving businesses operating within them.

“We went to the next lane and found many of them there… we’ll come in very early and then deal with them,” he added.

Annan further disclosed that several of these businesses fail to consistently issue VAT receipts, depriving the state of vital revenue.

He warned offenders to desist from such actions or face stiff sanctions.

SA/AE