Shipping agency directed to pay GH¢6,933.86 under-paid tax

The Customs Excise and Preventive Service (CEPS) on Friday directed the Management of Fair Shipping Agencies Limited, to pay GH¢6,933.86 representing under-paid tax revenue on an imported vehicle within 30 days effective, February 5, 2010.

The clearing house agent represented the importer of a Toyota Land Cruiser with chassis number JTEHTO5J342060274.

A release signed by Mr. Imoru Farouk Adam, Deputy Commissioner, Human Resource and Administration of CEPS said the vehicle that was originally imported by one Alex Tetevia and later found in use by Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party for Election 2008, was initially impounded by security officials and later referred to CEPS for investigations.

Meanwhile CEPS has placed the two officers that processed the transaction on interdiction pending further action, the release added.

CEPS noted that under the indirect system of taxation, the burden of tax is on the commodity unlike the direct system of taxation that places the incidence on the individual or corporate entity.

The release said in the case of the Toyota Land Cruiser, emphasis was on the vehicle which assessment was not proper in terms of due taxes and as such CEPS had to take steps to impound the vehicle until due duties and taxes were paid.

Source: GNA