GRA to roll out Fiscal Electronic Device Act as part of sweeping reforms
By DL News
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The law, in force since May 2018, mandates the use of approved fiscal devices at every point of sale by certain taxable persons.
Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, has announced that the long-awaited Fiscal Electronic Device Act, 2018 (Act 966), will soon be fully implemented as part of sweeping reforms to Ghana’s Value Added Tax (VAT) system.
The law, in force since May 2018, mandates the use of approved fiscal devices at every point of sale by certain taxable persons. Mr. Sarpong said its rollout will help boost revenue mobilization by improving transaction tracking and compliance.
Speaking in Accra during a meeting with senior management of Gold Fields Ghana, he revealed that the government intends to expand VAT coverage across retail and service sectors, describing it as a largely untapped consumption tax.
The reforms, set to be laid before Parliament by October and rolled out in early 2026, will also remove the COVID levy and restructure other charges to lower the effective VAT rate from 21.9% to 20%, with the full amount deductible.
“This way, businesses won’t bear extra costs, and there’s potential for future rate reviews,” he said.
Beyond VAT changes, the GRA plans to set up an Independent Tax Appeal Board by year-end to resolve disputes without lengthy court battles, as well as ramp up nationwide tax education to boost compliance, especially among small and medium enterprises.
Mr. Sarpong stressed that the reforms aim to modernize tax administration, broaden the revenue base, and create a fairer business environment. He noted that partnerships with top taxpayers such as Gold Fields are vital for sustaining economic growth and funding development.
