The Excise Unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has seized cartons of bottled spirits and wines which had no tax stamps affixed on them at Kempinski Gold Coast and Movenpick Hotels in Accra.
During an ongoing inspection exercise by the GRA, it emerged that majority of the products at the bar and storeroom of the hotels had no tax stamps.
The GRA is yet to disclose the value of the drinks.
GRA has warned retailers, shop owners and Ghanaians to stop buying and displaying items that have no tax stamps on them.
In an interview with Citi Business News, Head of the Task Force for at the GRA, Kwabena Apau Anto, said all hotels and restaurants will be monitored by the GRA to ensure they comply with the directive.
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 to grant the user access to the Tax Stamp Portal to the registered taxpayers for the administration of the programme
The tax stamp has been met with stiff opposition from key business associations who say they are unable to bear the additional cost of fixing the stamps.
But the GRA insists the policy is necessary to stop tax evasion.
Alcohol company staff ‘swerve’ GRA officials inspecting tax stamps
In May 2018, there was drama on the premises of Obibini Blackman Company Limited after workers of the company went into hiding when officials of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) stormed the place to assess their compliance with the Excise Tax Stamp Policy.
The officials observed that all the products of the alcoholic beverages company did not have the Tax Stamp affixed on them.
Workers of the company fled when the officials arrived at the company’s headquarters at Breman New site in Kumasi as part of its tour to ensure compliance with the Tax Stamp policy at selected facilities within the Ashanti Region.
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By: citibusinessnews.com|Ghana