The level compliance to the tax stamp remains below expected as some retail outlets continue to be adamant on not affixing the tax stamp on their excisable products.
In an interview following a recent monitoring and enforcement action embarked on by the Excise Unit of GRA to check the level of compliance with regards to the use of the excise tax stamp in Accra, the Chief Revenue Officer, Kwaku Anto Apau noted that the inspection teams have observed mixed results with regards to the level of compliance in the retail sector.
“Our impression for today has been mixed. Most of the tobacco products have the stamp affixed. However some of the carbonated drinks did not have the stamp affixed,” Apau said.
Of the three retail outlets that were checked in the process of inspection, two still had a considerable number of excisable products, especially the carbonated drinks, not affixed with the stamp.
For this week, the main focus for the inspection is on tobacco products.
This forms part of the final phase of the implementation process which includes seizure, confiscation and prosecution of non-compliant members of the public who do not affix the tax stamp on their excisable products.
Apua said next week GRA will dispatch teams of inspectors across the country to ensure that excisable products such as carbonated drinks, Malta Guinness drinks, beer, and wine, among others have been affixed with the stamp.
“In the past we have been going to the malls and other businesses outside the main business areas. However, this year we are going to be inspecting the central business areas such as Makola, Okiashie, among others,” he stated.
Background
The Excise Tax Stamp Scheme is in accordance with the Excise Tax Stamp Act 2013, Act 873.
The Excise Tax Stamp is a specially designed digital stamp with security features which are supposed to be affixed on specified excisable goods in Ghana whether locally manufactured or imported to show that taxes and duties have been paid or will be paid on them.
The objectives are to:
– control the importation and local production of excisable goods for revenue purposes
– check illicit trading, smuggling and counterfeiting of excisable products
– check under-declaration of goods
– protect and increase tax revenue
By Joshua W. Amlanu
