By Spy Uganda
Following Uganda Revenue Authority’s (URA) stepped-up efforts to enforce compliance with the usage of digital tax stamps, many proprietors are getting caught on the opposite side of the law.
The latest culprit is Able Beverages Ltd., the manufacturer of Eden Light Mango juice.
Early this month, URA got wind of information about continued production of goods at the facility despite its closure due to non-compliance with tax regulations.
“We responded promptly and conducted an on-site investigation revealing that Able Beverages Ltd. was indeed loading unstamped Eden Light Mango juice onto a truck registration number UBG901S,” narrated Annloy Mukyala, a DTS enforcement officer.
The manufacturer was also found to be under-declaring the soft drink by labeling 250-ml bottles as 200-ml, a practice that would result in a loss of revenue.
During the operation, another truck, registration number UBE 862C, was also issued a penalty after it was found loaded with 2268 cartons of the same unstamped Eden-flavored light mango juice.
URA says these actions are a clear violation of Section 19A of the Tax Procedures Code (TPC) Act 2014, which mandates the affixing of tax stamps on taxable goods.
”The subsequent assessment and penalty imposed on Able Beverages Ltd. align with Section 19B of the Tax Procedures Code Act (TPC) 2014, specifically addressing the failure to affix tax stamps,” says URA.
