Why I Hope Mahama/Nana Paid GHc0 In Taxes

You can tell that the presidential race is heating up because the attacks are heating up too. In the past, much of politics happened on TV. If you didn't like it, you could change the channel. This election involves social media more than any other I can remember.

Earlier this year, Ndoum sent this out to the public.

"It is the responsibility of every Ghanaian and anyone who works in the country to pay tax "

Ndoum released his 2015 tax returns to the public. This was most likely the reason he attacked Mahama and Nana on their tax return. As Ghana Web reports, Ndoum presented a cheque of GHC44,481.62 as outstanding taxes deducted at source to the Authority.


I find it interesting that Ndoum would choose to celebrate that he paid so much in taxes. This to me shows that Ndoum is a career politician and not the career entrepreneur he often brags about. It also shows that maybe Nana and Mahama are doing what the tax code was intended for while Ndoum is being penalized for not doing what the tax code was intended for.


As I've learned from a tax advisor, the most patriotic thing you can do is not pay your taxes!

Let me explain.

The Tax Code is Made to Incentivize

As you probably know, the tax codes in  many different countries are long and complicated. The question is, why?

The reason is that government leaders learned a long time ago that the tax codes could be used to make people and businesses do what they want by utilizing the tax code.

In short, the many credits and breaks that are found in the tax code are there precisely because the government wants you to take advantage of them. For instance, the government wants cheap housing. Because of this, there are many tax credits for affordable housing that developers and investors can take advantage of that to minimize their tax liability, put more money in their pocket, and in turn, create affordable housing. Everyone wins.

There are many scenarios like this in the tax code that incentivize investors and entrepreneurs to do activities the government is looking for while rewarding those who take those actions with lower-or zero-tax burden.

Because of this, limiting your tax liability actually means you're doing what the government wants you to do through the tax code. And that is the most patriotic thing you can do.

Why Ndoum Is Wrong

This is why it is wrong for Ndoum to celebrate paying much. The fact that he paid thousands in taxes shows he is not doing what the government wants. He isn't investing in a meaningful way.

Seriously, I would rather have people who understand how money and taxes work, how to create jobs and invest in ways our own tax code incentivizes, than Ndoum who doesn't. This is not an endorsement of any candidate, but it is a true observation regarding this particular issue.

Ndoum's message is capitalizing on the general ignorance around money and taxes that much of our country has. In that way, it is actually a lie and a form of fear mongering. It is an attack without legs to stand on, preying on emotions rather than appealing to logic and intellect.

But that's what most of our politics has devolved to these days, so I'm not surprised.