Ride-hailing companies such as Uber, Yango, and Bolt will be required to pay taxes in Ghana starting from January, 2024.
The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) making the announcement highlighted the obligation for commercial vehicle owners to pay income tax on a quarterly basis, as per Section 22 of Regulations 2016, LI 2244.
In addition, the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915) as amended, empowers the Commissioner General to issue written directives and request taxpayers to provide necessary information or connect their digital systems to the Commissioner General’s monitoring platform to ensure accurate tax payments to the State (Sections 1, 33, and 35).
Consequently, the GRA is urging all ride-hailing companies operating in Ghana to update their digital platforms to reflect the payment of Vehicle Income Tax (VIT) for both new and existing vehicles.
The companies are to follow guidelines including providing a softcopy of the VIT sticker from vehicle owners, validating the authenticity of the stickers with the GRA and submit a quarterly list of all vehicles on their platform to the GRA.
“It is essential for all ride-hailing companies to note that these requirements will be fully enforced starting Monday, January 1, 2024. To comply with the new regulations, owners of ride-hailing vehicles operating in Ghana must register their vehicles at any GRA office, enabling them to make VIT payments using the shortcode *222#,’ the GRA said.
This move by the GRA is aimed at ensuring that ride-hailing companies fulfill their tax obligations, contributing to the country’s revenue generation and overall economic development.
The step also aligns with the government’s efforts to promote tax compliance and fairness within the transportation industry.
By implementing these measures, the GRA aims to maintain transparency and accountability in the sector, enabling a level playing field for all stakeholders.
By Vincent Kubi