The government has announced plans to introduce a VAT Reward Scheme that will offer periodic rewards to consumers who obtain valid VAT invoices during their purchases as part of efforts to improve tax compliance and boost domestic revenue mobilisation.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed the initiative while presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 23.
According to the minister, the scheme is designed to encourage Ghanaians to play a more active role in protecting the country’s tax base by insisting on official VAT invoices whenever they purchase goods and services.
“To encourage participation and improve compliance, the government will also introduce the VAT Reward Scheme, under which customers who obtain valid VAT invoices will qualify for periodic rewards,” Dr Forson told Parliament.
He explained that the initiative seeks to transform citizens from passive taxpayers into active partners in ensuring that businesses properly account for taxes collected on behalf of the state.
“This will actively involve every Ghanaian in protecting the nation’s tax base,” he said.
Dr Ato Forson noted that the policy forms part of the government’s broader strategy to build a stronger tax culture founded on public participation, transparency and positive incentives rather than fear or punitive enforcement.
“Mr Speaker, this is how a tax culture is built – not through fear, but through participation, transparency and reward,” he stated.
The finance minister said the VAT Reward Scheme is expected to encourage more consumers to request official VAT invoices during transactions, making it more difficult for businesses to underreport sales or evade taxes.
By increasing the demand for VAT invoices, the government expects to improve the visibility of commercial transactions, reduce revenue leakages and strengthen tax compliance across the economy.
The initiative comes as the government intensifies efforts to expand domestic revenue generation and create a more sustainable tax system capable of financing key national development programmes.
Dr Ato Forson stressed that strengthening Ghana’s tax administration remains essential to mobilising the resources needed to support economic growth and deliver public services.
