Accra: The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) taskforce has taken action against businesses in Accra by seizing assorted drinks that were being sold without the required tax stamps. This enforcement aligns with the excise duty law, Act 2023, Act 1093, which mandates that products must have tax stamps affixed before they are sold in the market.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kwabena Apau Awua Anto, Head of the GRA Excise Unit, emphasized that the policy is crucial to ensure that imported products, such as malt drinks, have the necessary stamps to indicate that taxes have been paid. While most domestic products like bottled water comply with the stamp requirement, imported malt drinks often do not have the stamps affixed. This non-compliance prompted the recent market sweep to remove illicit products.

Mr. Anto explained that the law empowers the Authority to confiscate products lacking tax stamps. He noted that if business owners have valid reasons for missing stamps, they can appeal to the Commissioner-General for assistance. The influx of non-compliant products remains a concern, and the GRA aims to halt this trend through continued enforcement.

Mr. Joseph Annan, Head of Enforcement at the Accra Central Area Office of GRA, reiterated the importance of compliance with tax laws. He highlighted that enforcement becomes necessary when taxpayers do not voluntarily adhere to the regulations. Non-compliance can result in interest and penalties, underscoring the need for businesses to ensure tax stamps are in place to avoid such consequences.