With just about 2 weeks to the end of the year, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has emphasized that it will insist on Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) before vehicles are registered in 2019.
The DVLA in a statement it issued two weeks ago, stated that effective January 2, 2019, a Tax Identification Number (TIN) would be required for the registration of all new vehicles.
The TIN is a unique number generated by the Ghana Revenue Authority for evey individual to help in domestic revenue collection.
While canvassing for support for the new policy in an interview with Citi Business News, the Public Relations Manager of the DVLA, Francis Asamoah Tufuor stated that the policy will eventually protect car owners from theft across the country.
“You can try and circumvent the system but you will not be able to go through it. Without the TIN, DVLA will not accept your application. So we are reiterating our message, that come next year, from the beginning of January, for those who will like to have their vehicles registered, they have to get a TIN number first,” he stressed.
“This will be incorporated into our system. So in the event that somebody steals your car or your smart card from DVLA, the person can try and alter the card but they can’t change the TIN number,” he added.
According to Mr. Tufuor the introduction of the TIN will help sanitize the registration process at the DVLA and improve efficiency.
“Some of these things are coming on board to help sanitize the system, check your identity and to ensure that everything you do with the DVLA and other institutions is genuine.”
Things you cannot do without the TIN
- Clearing goods from the ports
- Registering your land document with the Lands Commission
- Obtaining a tax clearance certificate from GRA
- Opening a bank account
- Registering your company at the Registrars General’s Department or any District Assembly office
- Receiving any payment from the Controller and Accountant General or a District Assembly in respect of a contract for the supply of any goods or provisions of any services
- Obtaining payment for contracts done for the government
- Filing a case at the courts
- Obtaining a passport from the passport office
- Bidding for contracts from a government agency
- Conducting business with Ministries, Departments and Agencies
- Conducting business with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
How easy is it to get the TIN?
There have been mixed reviews about the ease with which Ghanaians can acquire a TIN.
Whilst the process has been relatively easy for some, others have complained of too much bureaucracy and even corruption from some GRA officials.
“In February this year, my husband and I went to register at the Adentan Office. My husband acquired his the following day, but the officials told me mine was not ready. This November, I went back and they are told me they are unable to get any records of mine,” a citizen said to Citi News.
Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communications at the GRA, has admitted the challenges that have bedevilled the issuance of the TIN.
He gave assurances that the GRA will open more administrative offices across the country to fast-track the process.
He also advised applicants to make use of the online platform created for the registration to ease the pressure at the district offices when he spoke to Citi News.
citibusinessnews
