Sunyani (Brong Ahafo), 17 March '99 -

The Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretariat of the Value Added Tax (VAT) is to take legal action against 18 companies and individuals for failing to register to collect the tax as required by law. "The affected companies and individuals have blatantly refused to fill and return VAT registration forms issued to them by the secretariat since December last year despite numerous reminders". Mr Atsu Menyawovor, Regional VAT co-ordinator, said this when addressing a seminar on ''Effective enforcement of the VAT law, offences and penalties'' at Sunyani on Tuesday. It was organised by the Regional Co-ordinating Council, for 45 participants drawn from the various security agencies in the region to sharpen their knowledge about VAT laws in order to prosecute offenders. Mr Menyawovor described as "a very serious offence for people or companies to refuse to register when they fall within the category of businesses required to register under the VAT law". Those who refuse to register are liable to fines not exceeding 10 million cedis or five years imprisonment under the law. So far 388 of the 430 registration forms issued to traders and companies have been returned. Mr Menyawovor urged the law enforcement personnel to be conversant with the provisions of the VAT law to enable them to assist in the effective enforcement of the Act establishing VAT.