The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has renewed its call on businesses to maintain proper records and fulfil their tax obligations on time to promote national development and improve business transparency.

Richard Ajago, Assistant Commissioner and Office Manager of the Spintex TSC, said the tax clinic was aimed at sensitising taxpayers on the importance of compliance, particularly in the area of recordkeeping and the transition to online filing.

“Taxation thrives on recordkeeping; without records, we cannot determine your income or your allowable expenses.

"If you don’t keep proper books, especially when you’re not physically present to monitor the business yourself, there can be underground dealings that you may never notice,” he said.

Mr. Ajago noted that many business owners failed to recognise how critical basic bookkeeping was, not only for tax purposes but also for overall business management.

He explained that tracking sales, expenses, purchases, and operational costs gave a clearer picture of profit margins, which in turn informs tax assessments.

The Assistant Commissioner also addressed the importance of filing tax returns before making payments, emphasising that the two must go hand-in-hand.

“Filing returns creates the space for payment. If you don’t file, how do you pay?” he asked.

He acknowledged that although many taxpayers now use the GRA’s online platform to file returns, timely payment still lags behind.

“We are encouraging all taxpayers to not only file online but also to ensure payments are made promptly. That’s the only way GRA can meet its revenue targets to support national development. Without taxes, no nation can develop,” he added.

Mr. Ajago assured participants that GRA remained committed to improving service delivery and making tax compliance easier through digital platforms and continuous taxpayer education.