The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is intensifying its sensitization program among taxpayers in the Ashanti Region on the new VAT levies.

The program is geared towards helping taxpayers calculate the new VAT levies introduced by the government.

To support the Covid-19 expenditure, the government in March introduced a one percent increase in the VAT flat rate. The GRA is therefore sensitizing customers on the implementation of the new VAT levy.

"We want to educate taxpayers especially accountants and auditors to understand and know how to calculate the VAT flat levy, so that they can present accurate figures in the office," Kumasi Area Manager for GRA, Samuel Sakyi Duodu said.

He also noted that, the Authority is implementing a cashless system across its offices in Ghana to reduce the spread of Covid-19. 

This move, he explained is targeted at achieving the national agenda of a cashless society.

"We want to avoid too much contact at the GRA office. The whole world is going digital and GRA is also going digital. You can just sit in your office and do your online payment, you don't need to come to the GRA office, it also helps in social distancing'', Samuel Duodu emphasized.

On their part, some participants who had been taken through the calculation of the new levy commended the Ghana Revenue Authority for the initiative.

According to the participants, the exercise did not only enlighten them; but will also go a long way to help their businesses. 

 Meanwhile, the GRA is encouraging voluntary tax compliance among the population.