Mr. Anthony Sarpong, the Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), has announced new measures aimed at drawing more informal sector players into the tax bracket, including the introduction of a flat-rate regime and enhanced use of technology.
Speaking on an X Space hosted by The High Street Journal, Norvan Reports, and IMANI Africa on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, he said the informal sector will be segmented and offered a simplified, flat-rate tax structure to encourage voluntary compliance.
The X Space was themed: “Resetting Ghana’s Revenue Mobilization.”
Explaining the segmentation of the informal sector, Mr. Sarpong said, “We are segmenting the informal sector and introducing flat-rate taxation to make it easier and fairer for them to pay. The aim is to make tax payment simple and inclusive,” he added.
To support this, the GRA plans to roll out extensive education campaigns to equip informal workers with the skills and knowledge needed to calculate and pay their taxes correctly.
“The Authority is also simplifying its systems to make the tax process less difficult,” he added.
Mr. Sarpong said, “We’re making the system more user-friendly for the informal sector. Through gradual digitalisation, we aim to formalise taxpayers and make compliance more efficient.”
He also announced that the GRA will use technology to ensure accurate receipt and documentation of taxes paid, especially in the informal space.
In addition, the Authority will work with telecommunication companies to identify and bring into the tax net businesses operating digitally but currently untaxed.
“No brick-and-mortar informal businesses will be left out. We will work with professional and industry associations to support their members’ compliance,” he said, mentioning planned collaborations with the Chartered Institute of Bankers, the Association of Surveyors, and other professional bodies.
Mr. Sarpong highlighted persistent challenges with validation and procedures in tax refunds, calling them major bottlenecks the GRA is working to address.
On Value Added Tax (VAT), he confirmed that the Authority is preparing to implement revisions proposed in the 2025 national budget. “We’re revamping VAT systems and structures. The revised VAT policy will soon be rolled out to enhance efficiency and compliance,” he said.
Mr. Sarpong reiterated that widening the tax net, particularly among informal businesses, would be done gradually to ensure fairness and public trust.
