GCNet processes GH¢16 billion domestic tax in 2017
Ghana Revenue Authority’s (GRA), Domestic Division, has indicated that the tax revenue collection mobilized and processed through the Ghana Community Network Systems Limited’s (GCNet) Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (trips) in 2017 was GH¢16 billion.
This represents a 32% increase over the same period in 2016.
The Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) which was deployed by GCNet, suggests that the domestic tax collection in the country has seen a sustained increase from GH¢3 billion that was recorded in 2014, to almost GH¢9 billion in 2015 and to almost GH¢12 billion in 2016.
The increase in tax collection over the years through TRIPS has contributed to the overall domestic tax revenue increase.
Also, TRIPS efforts has been achieved with the further deployment of more than 45 new offices by the GRA in 2017 bringing the total number of Live Offices now using the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System to 59.
The TRIPS is software for tax administration under the e-Government project headed by the Ministry of Communication under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance which seeks to streamline and bring transparency to the business operations of the GRA Domestic Tax Revenue Division (DTRD).
Since the introduction of the System in 2014, December 2017 has recorded the highest monthly revenue collection of GH¢2.6billion, followed by the second highest of GH¢1.7billion in Sept 2017.
This can be compared to the same period in 2016 when GH¢1.5billion and GH¢1.1billion were mobilized respectively.
Data available also indicates that monthly collection was over the GH¢1billion threshold in ten months of the year with February and May being slightly lower.
The operationalization of 59 out of 69 tax offices represents a nationwide presence, which has facilitated enhanced coverage in terms of the tax net, enabling greater revenue mobilization.
The nationwide roll-out is a landmark achievement for the GRA and the country marking the first time that Ghana has had a nationwide computerized tax system.
The expanded roll out of trips, across all offices of the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority nationwide, will enhance revenue mobilization efforts in 2018, helping to meet national development needs.
The deployment of trips is part of the bigger e-Government solution developed and deployed concurrently for the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Registrar General’s Department in 2011 by Ghana Community Network Services Limited (GCNet), with a self-service portal that provides online services to Citizens.
The system supports a full range of tax Administration functions including Registration, Returns Processing, Automated Compliance, Collections, Taxpayer Accounting, Revenue Accounting, Refunds, Risk Management, Case Management, Audit, Objections and Appeals.
GCNet is a Public-Private Partnership that was incorporated on November 13, 2000. Its shareholders are Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA), Ecobank Ghana Limited (EBG), Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) and Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) of Switzerland.
The company, an Innovator and Leader in the Provision of e-Solutions to Governments, has developed and deployed Ghana’s Single Window Platform for Processing Trade Transactions and Customs Clearances
Story: Adnan Adams Mohammed
