By Morkporkpor Anku
Accra, Oct. 21, GNA – The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has confirmed that Say Cheers Limited, a hospitality business, is complying with its tax obligations following a review of the company’s digital invoicing system.
Mr Kwesi Eghan, Deputy Commissioner of Operations II at the Domestic Tax Revenue Division of the GRA, said the confirmation followed a follow-up visit to the company after an earlier engagement raised concerns over its compliance with Value Added Tax (VAT) invoicing requirements.
He explained that the initial interaction created a misunderstanding that generated negative publicity for the company and concerns about possible implications for its operations and business relationships.
Mr Eghan said the Authority considered it necessary to publicly clarify the situation after the company invited GRA officials to revisit its premises and assess the operation of its invoicing system.
He noted that the Authority carried out background checks through its internal systems to independently verify the company’s compliance status rather than relying solely on representations made by the company.
According to him, the GRA’s verification system enables the Authority to track transactions and determine whether taxpayers are issuing the required invoices through approved digital platforms.
Mr Eghan said the review confirmed that Say Cheers Limited had been meeting the applicable requirements and that the earlier concerns stemmed largely from a communication gap during the transition to the digital invoicing platform.
He reiterated the Authority’s commitment to fairness, transparency and accuracy, stressing that the GRA would not hesitate to correct public perceptions where further investigations established that a taxpayer had been wrongly perceived as non-compliant.
Mr Eghan said tax compliance remained critical to national development, as revenue mobilised by the Authority financed government programmes and the delivery of essential public services.
He commended Say Cheers Limited for its compliance efforts and encouraged other businesses to fulfil their tax obligations promptly.
He explained that VAT-registered businesses were required to charge the appropriate tax, issue valid invoices to customers, and account for all taxes collected on behalf of the State.
Mr Eghan noted that such businesses acted as agents in collecting VAT and were required to remit the proceeds to the GRA by the last working day of each month.
He further disclosed that the Authority was intensifying enforcement efforts through a compliance initiative involving test purchases aimed at identifying businesses that failed to meet their tax obligations.
According to him, the exercise, which has already commenced, will continue until the end of the year, after which enforcement actions will be taken against businesses found to be non-compliant.
Nana Adwoa Konadu Karikari, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Say Cheers Limited, said the company had remained committed to responsible business practices and tax compliance throughout its 25 years of operation.
She welcomed the GRA’s confirmation of the company’s compliance status and described its engagement with the Authority as reflective of its commitment to supporting efforts to improve tax compliance among businesses.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Morkporkpor Anku
Email: [email protected]