Taxes: GRA gives defaulting OMCs December 3 to pay or face prosecution
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that have defaulted on their tax payments have been cautioned by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to pay what they owe by December 3, 2021, or face prosecution.
The statutory tax collection body in a press release sighted by norvanreports noted it will not hesitate to publish the details of defaulting OMCs and names of their managers if they fail to meet the deadline for payment of taxes.
“The Ghana Revenue Authority wishes to inform managers of oil marketing companies (OMCs) who have defaulted on payment of taxes that the Authority will publish names of defaulting OMCs and their managers if satisfactory arrangements are not made to settle outstanding tax liabilities by Friday 3 December 2021.
“In addition to the publication of the list of defaulters, the Authority will continue enforcement actions such as garnishing of accounts and seal off of business premises among other enforcement tools available, as well as prosecution,” the statement read.
Read details of press release below:
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The GRA in September this year noted that it has commenced processes leading to the prosecution of tax defaulting Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
According to the Commissioner-General, Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu Amoah, this followed several engagements with the Chief Justice, Justice Kwasi Anin-Yeboah.
The GRA’s decision to prosecute was on the back of an exercise carried out by the GRA which saw outlets of defaulted OMCs being locked and closed down by the Authority’s task force.
“We have gotten some positive responses from some affected oil marketing firms after the current exercise on the petroleum tax and other levies that were in debt. But let me use this opportunity to mention that we are moving into prosecution and very soon we will start serving the recalcitrant ones [OMCs] that have failed to heed to our [GRA] call”, he said in an earlier interview.
“Let me caution that they [OMCs] should use this period to come to the GRA to clear their debts or face the law because we have already had a discussion with the relevant authorities and the Chief Justice to begin prosecution,” he added in the interview.