Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Anthony Sarpong
The Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Sarpong, has reminded businesses operating in the e-commerce sector of their obligation to file their taxes.
He stated that the GRA will leverage technology to locate online businesses and ensure they comply with tax regulations.
According to him, it is an act of patriotism for these businesses to voluntarily pay their taxes without being pursued.
Speaking on the sidelines of the KPMG-UNDP Post-Budget Forum on March 13, 2025, he said, “For many of us who are doing business online, this is the time—the tax man will be coming to you. I know that with technology, we will find you. So make it easier for us. We will be coming after you with the spirit of dialogue and compliance, using only minimal force in line with the law. We want voluntary declaration and compliance.”
Similarly, the Partner and Head of Tax at KPMG Ghana, Kofi Frempong-Kore, urged the government to take advantage of modern technology to improve tax collection and expand the tax net.
According to him, the e-commerce sector is thriving due to the innovative ways people are using digital platforms to conduct business. He suggested that the government could adopt similar strategies to enhance tax collection and bring the informal sector into the tax net.
Speaking on the sidelines of the KPMG Post-Budget Forum on March 13, 2025, he stated, “Technology plays a crucial role. We need to leverage technology to identify individuals operating in the informal sector. The Commissioner-General even mentioned that if you go on Instagram now, you’ll find many people, including some of my colleagues, engaged in trade.”
“They advertise their products on Instagram and Facebook, keep the goods in their car boots, meet buyers to complete transactions, or even deliver the items directly. Today, people are delivering food using technology. This means the government can use the same digital tools to collect revenue,” he explained.
Frempong-Kore also expressed concern over Ghana’s narrow tax base, which he noted relies heavily on the formal sector.
“Less than 2 million Ghanaians are paying taxes out of a population of over 30 million, and these are mainly individuals employed in the formal sector. The focus should be on the informal sector, where the majority of Ghanaians operate. That is where I believe the government should direct its efforts,” he emphasised.
SSD/MA
KPMG calls for inclusion of informal sector, online businesses in tax net