Nat’l Tymes News Desk
THE GHANA Revenue Authority (GRA) has announced 2026 as a “Year of Compliance”, calling on individuals and businesses to obey tax laws and support national development.
In a New Year message, the Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr. Anthony Sarpong, urged taxpayers to meet their tax obligations, assuring them of the Authority’s commitment to building a fair, simple, and trusted tax system.
As part of this effort, the GRA has introduced an amended Value Added Tax (VAT) Act, which takes effect on January 15, 2026. The new law is designed to simplify the tax system, bring different tax laws together, and improve compliance through the use of technology.
Key Changes in the Amended VAT Act
The revised VAT Act comes with several taxpayer-friendly changes:
Reduction in VAT Rate: The VAT rate has been reduced from 21.9% to 20%, easing the tax burden on consumers.
Removal of COVID-19 Levy: The COVID-19 Health Recovery Levy has been completely abolished.
Separation of VAT and Levies: VAT has been decoupled from the GETFund and NHIS levies, making tax calculations clearer. Higher Registration Threshold: Businesses now need an annual turnover of GH¢750,000 to register for VAT, up from GH¢200,000.
Digital Tax Systems: The GRA will rely more on technology to make tax payment and administration easier.
Technology to Drive Compliance
Speaking at a recent Editors’ Forum in Accra, Mr. Sarpong announced that the GRA will roll out an Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS) by March 2026.
The system will help manage taxes more efficiently. The Authority also plans to introduce an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system to improve Customs valuation and reduce delays at the ports.
According to Mr. Sarpong, technology will help simplify tax processes for businesses while improving transparency and compliance.
Public Education to Be Intensified.
The GRA will step up public education and sensitization to help taxpayers understand the new VAT rules.
“Improved stakeholder relations and tax compliance are key to our success,” Mr. Sarpong said, encouraging taxpayers to learn about the changes and comply fully.
The Authority believes the amended VAT Act will boost revenue mobilization, support economic growth, and contribute to Ghana’s development agenda.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
