ITAS Rollout will not Result in New Taxes – GRA
Businesses should not expect any new tax obligations from the implementation of the Integrated Tax Administration System (ITAS), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has assured, stressing that the digital platform is intended to improve efficiency and simplify tax compliance rather than increase the tax burden on taxpayers.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Accra, Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, sought to allay concerns within the business community regarding the ongoing rollout of the new system, describing ITAS as a transformational tool designed to modernise tax administration and enhance service delivery.
The engagement brought together representatives from the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), tax practitioners, customs agents and other key players across the private sector to discuss the implementation process, expected benefits and implications of the digital platform.
“The introduction of ITAS is not going to lead to the payment of any additional new taxes. This is an efficiency process that we are undertaking,” Mr Sarpong stated.
According to him, the new platform forms part of a broader effort by the Authority to leverage technology to improve revenue administration, strengthen transparency and deepen trust between taxpayers and the state.
He encouraged taxpayers to embrace the system with confidence, noting that ITAS has been developed to make interactions with the tax authority easier, faster and more convenient.
Mr Sarpong explained that the platform would serve as a centralised digital gateway through which taxpayers can register, file returns and make tax payments electronically. The system will also enable businesses to access tax records, monitor compliance obligations and manage audits and disputes through a single interface.
He noted that ITAS is being designed to integrate data from multiple government platforms, including customs systems, with the objective of reducing duplication, enhancing accuracy and minimising administrative burdens on taxpayers.
The Commissioner-General further assured stakeholders that the GRA is committed to supporting businesses throughout the transition process and has established mechanisms to assist taxpayers in adapting to the new digital environment.
He indicated that the Authority’s ongoing transformation agenda is built around three strategic pillars: technology and innovation, operational excellence and stakeholder trust. Within that framework, he said, ITAS represents a critical intervention aimed at strengthening domestic revenue mobilisation to support national development priorities.
The digital platform, which was launched earlier this year, is expected to play a significant role in modernising Ghana’s tax administration architecture. By enabling online registration, filing and payment of taxes, ITAS is also expected to reduce reliance on manual processes and paperwork.
The business community has largely welcomed the initiative.
Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Ghana Industries, Mr Seth Twum-Akwaboah, described the rollout of ITAS as a major step towards improving the efficiency and transparency of Ghana’s tax administration system.
He noted that businesses had long advocated reforms that would simplify tax compliance and reduce administrative bottlenecks.
“The rollout of ITAS is a direct response to these calls, and we commend the Government and the Authority for this achievement,” he said.
Mr Twum-Akwaboah observed that trust remains a critical ingredient in strengthening tax compliance and expressed optimism that a more transparent and user-friendly system would help build stronger confidence between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
