The Ghana Revenue Authority has cited twelve businesses for various tax infractions during its ongoing tax compliance exercise.
The initiative was part of the Authority’s exercise to ensure tax compliance and retrieve taxes due to the state.
The Manager of the Accra Central Enforcement Unit of the GRA, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Annan, speaking to journalists at the end of the enforcement exercise on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, said the operation would continue until full compliance with the tax law was achieved.
During the enforcement exercise, the task force from the GRA, in collaboration with the Police Service, visited 12 businesses, namely: New Horizon Coldstore (wholesale and retail), Kwabenya (infractions: Selective Issuance of VAT), Glorious Shoppers Delight (groceries, frozen products, and personal care), Pokuase ACP Junction (infractions: not registered for VAT), Kriskay Kiddies (baby/mum shop), ACP Junction (infractions: not registered for VAT), Uncle Sas Autoparts, Acp Junction (infraction: registered but non Issuance, Sunset Glow (ladies lingeries) -Infractions: Not registered for VAT and T6 Enterprise (electronics shop), ACP Junction- Infractions: Non-Issuance of VAT.
The rest are OPFA Mart Enterprise (wholesale and retail of groceries), ACP Junction, Infractions: Not Registered for VAT, Big Apple Gym/Astroturf, ACP Junction, Infractions: Not Registered, Batteries, Lapaz-Infractions: Non-Issuance of VAT, Andy Foods Ventures, Lapaz-Infractions: Non-Issuance of VAT, Don-Elija Boutique, Abeka-Infractions: Not registered for VAT, and Korland Motors (Engine Oil and Filters), Abeka-Infractions: Not registered for VAT.
Mr. Annan explained that all suppliers of taxable items, goods, or services were to issue VAT invoices as required by the law, while customers were also required by law to obtain an invoice for transactions that attracted VAT.
He said it was an infringement of the tax law for a business that was registered with the authority to fail to issue a VAT invoice to its patrons.
He served notice that this time the focus is not only on VAT, but we are doing total tax compliance because the tax is not limited to VAT.
”We are looking at all taxes that are applicable to a particular taxpayer that we visit. So we are not limiting our search to only VAT. It is not only VAT you have to comply with, but you must comply with all tax types. We are going to look into our system when we come to you to look at all other tax types that are applicable to your business to know whether you are compliant.”
He also served notice to businesses they visited in previous exercises, requesting a return visit to determine if they were complying with their tax obligations.
Mr. Annan stated that the authority will continue to implement tax policy initiatives to boost domestic revenue mobilization, such as Electronic VAT, Electronic Tax Clearance Certificate, upfront payment on imported goods, excise tax stamp and resumption of vehicle income tax payment.
The authority is implementing various initiatives to enhance revenue mobilization, such as e-VAT invigilation, test purchases, and mystery shopping exercises.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
