The compliance and enforcement unit of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has taken action by shutting down four businesses for their failure to issue Value Added Tax (VAT) invoices as mandated by the Authority.

The GRA requires all providers of taxable items, goods, or services to adhere to the legal obligation of issuing VAT invoices. Simultaneously, customers are obligated by law to obtain VAT invoices from business proprietors for their purchased goods.

During its persistent drive to ensure compliance in the issuance of VAT invoices by companies, the GRA directed these shops to cease their operations.

The closed establishments encompass Eve’s Panties Wholesale Store, Modern Floors Tiles Shop, Cup of Joy Ventures (Grocery Store), and Qingsong Trading Company Limited. These businesses are all situated within the Weija Gbawe Municipal District in the Greater Accra region.

Mr. Joseph Annan, the Area Enforcement Manager of GRA overseeing Accra Central, informed the Ghana News Agency that the closure of these shops was prompted by the owners' noncompliance with the requirement to issue VAT invoices.

He conveyed that these operations form part of an ongoing nationwide VAT inspection initiative by the Authority, aimed at recovering outstanding taxes owed to the state.

“It is as an offence not to issue VAT invoice and the law would take its own direction”.

He noted that individuals violating the regulations could potentially face charges under sections 78 and 82 of the Revenue Administration Act, 2016 (Act 915), which specifically address noncompliance with tax laws and hindering tax administration, respectively.

Mr. Annan emphasized that the GRA's scrutiny would extend to all prior offenders starting from September 2022 to the present date, ensuring the continuation of compliance. He further remarked that business owners who failed to sustain compliance would be reported to the police.

Highlighting the significance of timely tax payments, Mr. Annan underlined that it stood as the most effective and efficient means of showcasing one's commitment to the nation's development. This action illustrated that the citizens of the countries from which Ghana's government borrowed funds were fulfilling their obligations.

He called upon the public to fulfill their patriotic duty as citizens of Ghana by proactively issuing VAT invoices. Additionally, he encouraged both the public and taxpayers to promptly report any instances of tax violations to the GRA, thereby enabling necessary measures to be taken.