MUSCAT: The newly implemented Value Added Tax (VAT) should not be used as an excuse for businesses to overcharge consumers, Sulayem bin Ali Al Hikmani, Chairman of Consumer Protection Authority (CPA) warned retailers.
On Monday, Al Hikmani toured a number of shops and commercial establishments in North and South Al Batinah to ensure shops are not overcharging consumers in the wake of VAT implementation. “Breaching VAT guidelines would infringe the rights of consumers and hurt their purchasing ability,” he noted.
“Consumers must feel assured and confident about the pricing of goods in the wake of VAT’s roll-out. Any transgressions will expose the guilty parties to legal action by the Authority,” Al Hikmani said.
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On April 16, Oman implemented the widely discussed 5 per cent tax on goods and services. However, more than 450 basic food commodities have been exempted from the tax.
“CPA is closely monitoring the prices in the market and any increase in prices will face legal accountability,” he added.
