Private Television station Metro TV has resumed operations Thursday, June 7 after being shut down by the GRA over its failure to pay some taxes totaling over GH¢2million.
The Ghana Revenue Authority, on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, stormed the premises of Metro TV and locked it up for owing GH¢55,000 in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax and an additional GH¢1.6 million VAT as well as incidentals, interest and penalties for defaulting for the past four years beginning 2014.
This happened to be the second time the GRA shut down Metro TV after a similar incident in December 2017.
However, the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs at the GRA, Bobbie Ansah said the management of the station after the lockup went to clear some of the arrears at the GRA offices.
“After we locked up the place following the distress action, the management of Metro TV went to our offices and made some payments….They also claim that we have some reconciliation to do with the GRA because according to them, they have made some earlier payment which has not been credited to them,†he said.
He added, “But the place is currently opened and business operations for them continues. On Thursday, we will make all the necessary reconciliations so that they can pay the rest of what they owe.â€
Mr. Ansah further reminded companies who are owing taxes to come forward and register, while endeavouring to complete the payments by the end of August or face severe sanctions by the GJA.
"We have developed a tax amnesty. Companies who are owing have the opportunity to come forward and register. We wish to remind the public that we will come against companies after October 31,†he said.