GRA boss rubbishes claims of new taxes

The Commissioner-General said the government has no plans to implement any new taxes as it is focused on moving the country from taxation to production.

He explained that the two supposed new taxes are existing taxes that have only been re-categorised as part of a routine exercise conducted in the sub-region.

Online media, Citibusinessnews.com reported that businesses will soon be paying more to the government because of the rolling out of at least two taxes set for implementation next month.

“The two taxes to be rolled out are the excise tax stamp and the Harmonised ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). The excise tax stamp will affect businesses that are engaged in the importation, manufacturing or wholesale of excisable goods such as canned or bottled drinks, non-alcoholic carbonated beverages, cigarette and tobacco products while the Harmonised ECOWAS CET, on the other hand, will affect importers of goods classified under the CET” the site captured

The story went on to state that “although the CET is being implemented at the ports, Citi Business News understands that an international review of the system has led to the addition of new products and subsequently tariffs to be borne by importers of same.”

But contrary to these assertions, Kofi Nti clarified that “on the Citi FM announcement this morning, we want to say that the issues which are in vogue are not true. No new taxes have been introduced.

The code that is HS Codes that the World Customs Organisations uses for the countries worldwide is reviewed every five years and when it is reviewed the is the reclassification of items and some items have fallen into a situation where they are now Vatable and that’s the situation on the ground.

On that’s score there is nothing like a new tax that has been introduced. The focus of the new government is moving from taxation to production. The essence of it is that the government wants the people to be profitable and at the end of the day the government will take its share when you make your profits.”



Attempts to kick against tax stamps will not succeed - GRA boss

Kofi Nti has emphasised his desire and that of government to see through the new stamp regime intended to boost revenue and seal loopholes in revenue generation.

The Commissioner General was firm in stating that his outfit will not relent in seeing through the new regime despite resistance from some stakeholders. Kofi Nti was shocked that despite the several months of consultations between the stakeholders, some keep shifting their stance and changing the positions with regards the new policy.

He expressed his resolve to address all outstanding issues and insisted that come what the policy will be implemented.

“The exercise Tax Stamp was passed in 2013 and the people grumbling it’s not like we just bumped into them. We have had a lot of discussions with them especially for the food and beverage people we have had discussions with them and so it becomes a bit of a surprise at the posture”

“Kenya for one they initiated the process in 2016, 2017 they were on board and it’s like a shifting sand, we resolve the issue and they tun around and come again in a new position but then we are resolved, the Hon Minister needs his money and we have to ensure he gets his money to run the country’s agenda. So on the issue of exercise tax, there is no going back on anything, we are going forward and that must be clear” he added.