The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cleared the shelves of some shops in Accra that are selling products without the excise tax stamp.
The exercise which was led by Head of Excise at the GRA Kwabena Apau Anto and Head of Communication and Public Affairs at the GRA, Akwasi Bobbie- Ansah had a team of GRA officials inspect various stores in Accra.
The shops included Melcom Plus at Industrial area, Shoprite at West Hills Mall, and Max Mart at 37.
The exercise, which was carried out on the 18th of April 2018, comes after the expiration of the deadline of March 1st to have the stamp affixed on selected products.
This move forms part of the government’s agenda to ensure that businesses pay their taxes.
Speaking to Citi Business News, Mr. Bobbie- Ansah said the shops cautioned would have their goods confiscated.
“The purpose of this exercise is to give shops their last warning to comply with the tax stamp policy , the next time we come to these shops and they are selling their goods without the tax stamp they will be confiscated”.
Goods expected to be affected by the excise tax stamp include cigarettes and other tobacco products, bottled or canned alcoholic beverages and nonalcoholic carbonated beverages as well as bottled water.About Tax Stamp
In accordance with the Provisions of the Excise Tax Stamp Act, 2013 (Act 873) specified excisable products which are imported or locally produced, are required to be affixed with Tax Stamps with specific features designed and supplied by the Ghana Revenue Authority before they are delivered ex-factory, cleared from any port of entry or presented for sale at any commercial level in Ghana.
As part of measures to ensure the smooth and effective implementation of the Tax Stamp programme, all importers and manufacturers of the affected products are required to register with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The registration is mandatory under section 4 of the Act and it shall among others, enable GRA grant user access to the Tax Stamp Portal to the registered taxpayers for the administration of the programme.