GRA: MEMORANDUM ON PROVISIONAL PAYMENT OF IMPORT DUTIES AND TAXES

The Ghana Revenue Authority announced in a letter, at the end of March 2017 that has been and is still being distributed since then to companies and institutions in Ghana that:

ALL COMPANIES WHO QUALIFY FOR EXEMPTION FROM DUTIES AND TAX SHOULD MAKE THEIR PAYMENTS FIRST AND SHOULD APPLY FOR REFUNDING AFTERWARDS.

Added was: THIS POLICY TAKES IMMEDIATE EFFECT!

Business in Ghana and anywhere in the world can only flourish in a safe, stable and PREDICTABLE business environment, this type of announcements do not contribute to that.

EBO-Ghana is investigating the facts, and needs your inputs and experiences with this new directive to approach the government through the appropriate channels and address our concerns.

Not only does this type of announcement need a longer time to implement but also if this type of steps are announced “overnight” who can guarantee that we won’t have further surprises when we apply for refund of the upfront paid taxes?

We have also been informed that all local companies NGOs and other institutions involved in charity and grants management have received the same announcement and have to pay taxes and duties on goods to assist mainly the poor and help the development of Ghana.

Because this problem is not only affecting foreign owned companies we will also approach the Association of Ghana Industries, Private Enterprise Foundation, Ghana Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other organizations and institutions.

We will keep you informed on further steps.