The Commissioner General for Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has asked the general public to disregard media reports on the introduction of two new taxes by the GRA.
Some online portals reported that businesses will soon be paying more to the government because of the introduction of two new taxes by the GRA.
However, in an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive Tuesday, Commissioner General for the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Emmanuel Nti explained that the two alleged new taxes are existing taxes that have only been re-categorised as part of a routine exercise conducted in the sub-region.
The two re-categorised taxes are the excise tax stamp and the Harmonised ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET).
According two him, the excise tax stamp which deals with the importation, manufacturing or wholesale of excisable goods such as canned or bottled drinks, non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, cigarette and tobacco products has been in existence since 2013.
He added that the revenue which the excise tax stamp generated for the economy has reduced hence its reintroduction.
“The excise tax stamp has reduced from 3.4% as at 2010 to 1.9% in 2017. Importers who are supposed to pay have been reluctant in the payment. We want to enforce the tax and help grow the economy together hence the reintroduction,” he added.
He also explained that the Harmonised ECOWAS CET, on the other hand, will affect importers of goods classified under the Common External Tariff (CET)
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Vivian Adu Boatemaa