The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is calling for updates to tax policies to better capture revenue from the expanding e-commerce sector.
Julie Essiam, Commissioner-General of the GRA, noted that existing tax regulations are insufficient for effectively managing e-commerce activities.
At the 12th Annual International Tax Conference, themed “Balancing Tax Policy and Private Sector Development,” Essiam emphasized the need for new policies to address this regulatory gap.
“E-commerce is here to stay whether we like it or not. Its rise has indeed transformed the global business landscape. It has created new opportunities for growth and innovation. But it has also presented significant challenges for us tax authorities and I must say, worldwide, not just GRA.
“Our traditional tax frameworks were not designed to accommodate the complexities that we are seeing with digital transactions that often span multiple jurisdictions across borders.
As a result, there is a pressing need to develop tax policies that effectively capture revenue from the digital economy while supporting the growth of e-commerce businesses which has come to stay.
“Our approach to e-commerce taxation is not solely about revenue generation. It is also about creating a level playing field for all businesses by ensuring that online businesses are subject to the same tax obligations that their brick-and-mortar counterparts are subject to.
We can foster a competitive and equitable business environment by doing so,” Julie Essiam stated.
