(Ecofin Agency) - The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) claims from mobile operator Vodafone, the payment of six years of arrears of tax profits. According to the entity, this amounts to Ghc160 million (US$36,125,213). Vodafone, however contests this bill, claiming it made no profits since taking over Ghana Telecom in 2009.

In an affidavit that the GRA submitted to the High Court of Justice, subsequent to the contesting of its tax assessments, also previously submitted to the same authority, by Vodafone Ghana, the revenue authority says that though the operator claims to have made no profit, it has transferred Ghc2.1 billion (US$476.9 million) to its parent company Vodafone, between 2012 and 2016. 

According to news website modernghana.com, Vodafone rejects GRA’s proposal to forepay 30% of the amount it is said to owe, while continuing talks for full payment. The firm, in fact, asks the High Court of Justice to be granted a waiver, which GRA is against. 

In its affidavit, the tax authority told the court that Vodafone’s request is clearly an attempt to evade law-imposed standards.