Participants at a tax education forum in Kumasi have complained about high import duties on vehicles that makes it difficult to clear them at the ports.

They therefore demanded that the custom duties should be reviewed downwards.

The participants made up of transport operators, importers and trade associations were contributing to discussions at a tax education forum organized jointly by the revenue collecting agencies and the German Technical Co-operation (GTZ). It formed part of the drive to promote tax compliance. They described as completely unacceptable the situation where vehicles confiscated because of the inability of the owners to pay the duties on them are auctioned at give away prices.

Miss Annie Anipa, Assistant Commissioner of the Customs, Excise and Preventive (CEPS) in charge of the Public Relations, urged car importers to contact the service to know the amount of money they are supposed to pay before shipment.

They could also negotiate for instalment payment of the duties to avoid getting their goods seized. She asked car buyers to insist on CEPS original papers in order not to be on the wrong side of the law. Mrs. Joyce Amoateng, an official of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), announced plans to set up a Task Force to collect tax from traders who operate in the night in the Kumasi metropolis. Mrs Akosua Adu Boateng, Manager of Suame VAT Office, urged the public to demand VAT receipt from retailers and other registered VAT companies. Mr Ken Gberi, Commissioner of CEPS in charge of Ashanti Region, appealed to chiefs to use their influence with the people to encourage them to pay their taxes. Nana Akwasi Acheampong, the Chief of Asafo, Kumasi, reminded the people that it is by honouring their tax obligation that they would be assisting to raise revenue for national development. GNA