The Ghanaian Worker And Personal Income Tax Reliefs: Where Did We Stray?

Type Journal Article - ADRRI Journal of Arts and Social Sciences
Title The Ghanaian Worker And Personal Income Tax Reliefs: Where Did We Stray?
Author(s)
Volume 10
Issue 10
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2015
URL http://journals.adrri.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Manuscript-Number-ADRRIJASS-14-700.pdf
Abstract
The study has been conducted with the object of determining income tax relief awareness and take-up and the challenges associated with the income tax relief system. It employs the case study method and uses questionnaires to gather data from a sample size of 114 taxpayers and 6 officers of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in Tamale. It also does an analysis of the value of income tax reliefs to determine the tax savings on the reliefs. The paper finds that a large proportion of taxpayers qualify for various reliefs granted under the law. Also, the provision of documents of proof of personal circumstance was found to be the most nagging problem of taxpayers in applying for reliefs. It was revealed that though personal tax reliefs result in a significant amount of tax savings, taxpayers shy away from taking advantage of them. Very few workers are utilising tax reliefs to reduce their tax burdens. We recommend that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) incorporates online tax relief application system into its online services. Also, rates of tax reliefs should be reviewed upwards. The role of employers in helping their employees in applying for reliefs is emphasised.

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