The Accra Central Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has extended its tax compliance exercise into other areas under its jurisdiction.
The division began this exercise in the last quarter of last year and has since increased revenue and intensified tax education through this exercise.
Most businesses have been picked up throughout the exercise for various infractions from non issuance of Value Added Tax Receipts or the E-VAT Invoice, some businesses were found duplicating signatures.
Others were selective in the issuance of VAT, a number of businesses were not registered with the GRA, and a couple were issuing electronic invoices without authorisation from the GRA.
Twelve more businesses were picked up this week for similar offences around Lapaz, Kwabenya, and ACP Junction.
New Horizon Coldstore at Kwabenya was not issuing tax invoices even though it had been registered to do so, when the GRA team arrived.
All the other businesses: Glorious Shoppers Delight, KrisKay Kiddies,Uncle Sas Autoparts, Sunset Glow boutique, T6 Enterprise – Not registered to charge VAT
Big Apple Gym, OPFA Mart Enterprise, Andy Foods Ventures, Don Elijah boutiques –
Rhema batteries, and Korland Motors were not registered to charge Value Added Tax (VAT).
Yet the focus for this exercise for the GRA was to check for compliance regarding all other forms of tax charges. Mr. Joseph Annan, Manager of Enforcement Unit; Accra Division of GRA stated,
“This time the focus is not only on VAT but on total tax compliance. Because taxes are not limited to VAT. There is the PAYE, CIT, PIT, SI Tax stamp.We are looking at all tax types that are applicable to a particular taxpayer we visit”.
When we come to an area we look for taxpayers that qualify for one tax type or the other. The public should understand that is how we are going to approach our quest to increase tax collection in this country. It is not only VAT you must comply with” he added.
Earlier this week, GUTA raised concerns over the harassment its members are facing in exercises like this. He reacted to the said concern “We are only doing our job, and if you pay your taxes there is no need to worry. I don’t think checking for tax compliance can be considered as harassment”.
The Enforcement Manager added that those who have been visited should make sure they were doing the right thing and that there will be a return visitation.
“For those that we have already visited, we are coming back to you to know whether after our visit you are doing the right things, and please if we come and you are doing the right thing we will not smile with you when you come to our office” he said.
