The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has partially sealed the premises of Kitea Furniture and Decoration in Accra for failing to fully comply with the Electronic Value Added Tax (eVAT) system during an enforcement exercise.

Kitea, which is mandated to operate on the eVAT platform, attributed its non-compliance to technical challenges. However, according to the Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Accra Area Enforcement Unit, Joseph Annan Adjeikwei, the enforcement team had no choice but to apply the law.

“I am an enforcer and I act on instructions. What I am asked to do is what I do,” he stated.

Mr Annan explained that the GRA opted for a partial seal-off of the premises, clearly visible to the public, and granted the company until the close of business on Friday to address the identified irregularities. Failure to do so, he warned, would result in a full closure.

The enforcement exercise also covered several other businesses in Accra to ensure compliance with VAT regulations and proper record-keeping.

At Aiven Plastics, located at Abofu in Achimota, the team uncovered selective issuance of receipts and a lack of proper records, despite the company’s involvement in the sale of plastic products. Mr Annan said the owner, believed to be a Chinese national, had been invited to the GRA office, where the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) will take over the case. He cautioned businesses against hiding records, noting that such actions only worsen their situation.

“When we come and you conceal your records, your problems will multiply. Projections will be made, and the figures could become too high to pay,” he warned.

At Metalex in Alajo, officers confirmed that receipts were being issued. However, management explained that the Alajo location functions solely as a manufacturing site, with all invoicing handled at the company’s Spintex branch. Mr Annan indicated that a follow-up visit would be conducted at the Spintex premises to verify full compliance.

Meanwhile, at Inter Africa, which was expected to be fully integrated into the eVAT system, the team discovered instances of under-declaration of sales. Mr Annan said the company has been invited for further investigations after officers confirmed the discrepancies using internal systems.

At Sky Wonderland, officers found that although the company claimed to be registered on the eVAT platform, it was not issuing eVAT invoices. Management reportedly claimed they were advised to sell first and later purchase invoices when available, an explanation the GRA rejected.

Mr Annan said the Authority had collected the company’s records for pre-emptive tax assessment and directed management to immediately acquire the appropriate invoicing systems.

He stressed that many businesses deliberately refuse to present records, adding that offenders face not only tax projections but also legal sanctions for non-compliance.

The exercise forms part of the GRA’s ongoing efforts to enforce tax compliance, boost domestic revenue mobilisation, and curb under-declaration nationwide.