The Excise Unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) today November 28, 2019 invaded and seized cartons of bottled water and wines which had no tax stamps affixed on them at Kempinski Gold Coast and Movenpick Hotels in Accra.
During the inspection by the GRA, it emerged that majority of the products at the bar and storeroom of the two top hotels in Ghana hotels had no tax stamps.
Meanwhile, GRA is yet to disclose the value of the seize drinks.
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GRA has warned retailers, shop owners and Ghanaians to stop buying and displaying items that have no tax stamps on them.
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.
Affected products
Under the law, some products manufactured in Ghana, imported products and other goods prescribed by the Minister of Finance which are classified as excisable goods must have the stamps affixed on them before they are sold to the public.
The goods include cigarettes and other tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, whether bottled, canned, contained in kegs for sale or packaged in other forms; non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, whether bottled, canned or packaged in any other form, and bottled water.
Apart from the stamp helping to control the importation and local production of excisable goods for revenue purposes, Mr Nti explained, the public stood to benefit immensely from the initiative.
He pointed out that it would check illicit trading, smuggling and counterfeiting of excisable products, ensure good health of consumers, check under-declaration of goods and protect and increase tax revenue.
