The UK-Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UKGCC), a member-based trade association that promotes trade between the UK and Ghana, has applauded the inauguration of the Independent Tax Appeals Board (ITAB) in Ghana by government.

It described it as a welcoming news for businesses and investors in Ghana, as taxpayers will be given a chance to have a fair hearing of their cases and a determination of the proper amount of their liabilities by an independent body, before being required to pay them.

However, it is looking forward to the notice of the appointment of the Executive Secretary of the ITAB who will be responsible for receiving appeals.

The Board, created in accordance with the Revenue Administration (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1029), will tackle tax disputes and appeals against objection decisions of the Ghana Revenue Authority.

The UKGCC said "we hope that this will enhance revenue mobilisation, through speedy adjudication, accuracy, and fairness in tax dispute resolution".

It added that in the previous system of tax appeals, taxpayers had to resort to costly and protracted litigation at the courts to have their disputes with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) resolved.

For years now, the UK – Ghana Chamber of Commerce has been one of the business community’s foremost advocates for tax policy and administration reforms that best provides an enabling business and investment environment, while raising revenues to support the economic development of Ghana.