The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) is projecting January 1, 2026, as the official start date for the implementation of the country’s new Value Added Tax (VAT) reforms, pending final approval from Parliament.
Commissioner-General Anthony Sarpong, speaking at the PwC Post-Budget Forum in Accra, said the Authority is “fully prepared” to roll out the changes at the beginning of the new year”.
He explained that Parliament has already commenced deliberations on the VAT Amendment Bill, and the GRA is hopeful that lawmakers will give the green light before Christmas.
According to Mr. Sarpong, early approval is crucial to ensuring a smooth transition into the new system, which aims to simplify VAT administration, strengthen compliance, and reduce the tax burden on businesses.
“We are expecting Parliamentary approval before Christmas, and once that is secured, we are ready for January 1 [2026],” he said.
He added that the GRA has been engaging the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders to ensure that the full set of reforms, ranging from adjustments to the VAT structure to enhanced digital invoicing systems, can be implemented without delays.
Mr. Sarpong noted that the Authority has already put in place the technical and operational mechanisms required to support the reforms. These include upgrading digital platforms, improving taxpayer services, and coordinating with businesses that will be directly affected by the new VAT requirements.
The Commissioner-General also stressed the importance of public sensitisation and said the GRA will intensify education campaigns immediately after Parliament gives approval.
He said this is necessary to ensure that taxpayers understand the new rules, especially the changes to invoicing, compliance timelines, and the responsibilities of VAT-registered businesses.
He assured industry players that the GRA will maintain open dialogue throughout the rollout period, promising prompt responses to concerns that may arise once the reforms take effect.
“Our goal is to make the transition as seamless as possible for both businesses and consumers,” he added.
The VAT reforms form part of government’s broader strategy to modernise the tax system, improve revenue mobilisation and support economic recovery in 2025 and beyond.
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