VAT TAKES 2 UPPER WEST COMPANIES TO TASK (PAGE 20)

Story: George Folley Quaye, Wa

THE Valued Added Tax (VAT) Service has issued a distress warrant for two companies in Wa in the Upper West Region.
The companies, which owe the service a total of GH¢38,186.52, are Mana Linx, an Internet cafe’ and Brimston Limited, a cigarette distribution company.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic at Wa, the Regional Manager of the VAT Service, Mr Kwesi Arkaah, warned that should the two companies fail to settle their indebtedness, the service would have no other option than to auction their assets.
He said Brimston Limited owed GH¢33,242.70 while Manna Linx was yet to settle an amount of GH ¢4,943.82.
According to Mr Arkaah, in December last year, the service secured a distress warrant for eight companies out of which six settled their indebtedness.
Mr Arkaah stated that following a series of educational campaigns in the region, a lot of traders were now honouring their tax obligations.
He further warned that recalcitrant companies would be dealt with according to the laws of the land.
Mr Arkaah, therefore, appealed to VAT registered traders to endeavour to submit their monthly returns on time in order to avoid sanctions.
He said people in the region had now seen the staff of the service as partners in development and not as enemies.
"I attribute this to the monthly educational campaign, which has gone a long way to help us achieve our set targets," the regional manager added.