TIN registration hits over 2 million:Ghana Revenue Authority.

High number of over two million people have already obtained their Taxpayer Identification 

Numbers (TIN), the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced this development on Monday 10th December,2018.

The Assistant Commissioner, Communications and Public Affairs of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Mr Kwesi Bobie-Ansah,disclosed this.He elaborated more people were registering to acquire the TIN because it had become a requirement for certain business transactions.

The TIN is a unique identification number issued to taxpayers for official transactions, and the GRA has said it wants to use this strategy to expand the tax net for domestic revenue generation.

 In accordance with the Revenue Administration Act (RAA), a person shall show the TIN in any claim, declaration, notice, return, statement or other document used for the purpose of a tax law.The RAA, he stated, provides a list of institutions to which the TIN applies, including the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department and the Lands Commission,etc.

Relating how important the TIN is becoming,He pleaded with the public to register for the TIN and to be able to transact businesses.

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) gave a hint in some were April this year,that persons without the TIN number given to identify taxpayers and enable the GRA to credit them whenever they pay their taxes, cannot open a bank account, file a case in court, acquire a passport or obtain a driver’s licence.

 Persons without the TIN also will not be able to register a vehicle, clear goods in commercial quantities from the ports or register any title to land or any document affecting land.Other services for which the TIN is needed include registration of company at the Registrar General’s Department or any District Assembly office; receiving any payment from the Controller and Accountant General or a District Assembly in respect of a contract for the supply of any goods or provisions of any services.

Most banks have pleaded that although staff had been educated on the TIN, the bank had planned to use the rest of the year to educate clients and would fully enforce it next year.

Note that the finance minister stated in the just read buffet that the TIN shall take serious effect in January 2019.