The Debt Management and Compliance Enforcement Unit of Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has locked up a clearing agency, Africa Cargo Central Limited in Tema for defaulting in tax payment to the tune of 2.3 million cedis.
The company, according to the GRA has refused to meet with the authority to design a repayment module after several notices.
Speaking to journalists after locking up the offices of the company, the Chief Revenue in charge of Recovery, from the Debt, Management, Enforcement and Compliance Unit of the GRA, Rev. John Buabeng warned that the company has ten days to settle the debt else it will be referred to the legal department of the authority.
“We expect the manager to visit the Tema GRA office to start the processes of paying the liability. If this is not done in ten days, we will proceed to the legal department of the GRA,” he said.
Rev. Buabeng recounted that the company has defaulted in meeting its tax obligation for about four years.
“Africa Central Cargo is a clearing agency and they owe the GRA 2.3 million cedis. It was an audit done between 2013 and 2016. VAT is involved, the company’s income tax is involved, and then withholding taxes which also include PAYE,” he explained.
He observed that several efforts to get the company to meet the GRA authorities have proved futile, necessitating the closure of the company.
“We served him (Manager) a note of tax liability and other notices and final demand notice. When the final demand notice came and he still has not responded we had to take a warrant. We came, we discuss with him and he is not ready to pay so we have no option than to seal off the place,” Rev. Buabeng said.
The CEO of the company, Jabbor Akhary who was present refused to comment.
The exercise is part of moves by the GRA to enforce the Tax laws by urging businesses to voluntarily file their taxes.